Immediate release 21/12/23

Scottish benefit claimants have been reminded that most payments over Christmas and New Year are likely to hit bank accounts early, and they are urged to budget accordingly. Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national advice service advice.scot, said households should plan for changes in payments over the festive holidays.

Both the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) and Social Security Scotland have confirmed scheduled benefit payments slightly earlier than usual in December and January. This is because of bank holidays on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day and the additional bank holiday in Scotland on Tuesday, January 02.

Recipients of DWP-administered Universal Credit, State Pension, Pension Credit, Disability Living Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Employment Support Allowance, Income Support, and Jobseeker’s Allowance are reminded:

• Payments due on December 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 should be paid on Friday, December 22.
• Payments due on December 28 should be paid on Wednesday, December 27.
• Payments due on December 30, 31, and January 1 or 2 should be paid on Friday, December 29.

Universal Credit claimants should also note that if their payment falls on Wednesday, December 27, or Tuesday, January 2, they will receive it on those dates as normal.

Those entitled to Social Security Scotland’s Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Scottish Child Payment, and Carer Support Payment can expect the following schedule:

• Payments due on December 25, 26, and 27 should be paid Friday, December 22.
• Payments due on December 28 should be paid either December 22 or December 28.
• Payments due on December 29, 30, 33 and January 1 and 2, 2024, should be paid either December 28 or December 29.
• Payments due on January 3 should be paid either Friday, December 29 or January 3.
• Payments due on January 4 should be paid either Friday, December 29 or January 4.
• Payments due on January 5, 6, and 7 should be paid either January 3 or January 5.
• Payments due on January 8 should be paid either January 4 or January 8.

Best Start Foods payments are not affected by the festive period arrangements.

advice.scot provides free, practical advice and information on any topic, including access to benefits and whether households are claiming all the support they are entitled to. Additionally, the online benefits calculator provided by Advice Direct Scotland allows individuals to assess their entitlement to both devolved and reserved benefits.

During the festive period, the organisation will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, and January 2.
However, it will operate normally at other times, with the charity emphasising the importance of reaching out at the earliest opportunity to discuss any concerns.

The team can be contacted on 0808 800 9060 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm), or through www.advice.scot.

Julie Murphy, Project Lead for advice.scot said: 

“As we approach the Christmas and New Year holiday period, it’s important for people to be prepared for these changed dates and plan ahead to reduce stress. With the cost-of-living crisis, we know that many Scots are finding things extremely challenging when it comes to their household finances and will be concerned about when their payment will arrive.”

“Help is available for anyone who is worried or confused. At Advice Direct Scotland, we have a wide range of services available to everyone in Scotland at no cost, regardless of personal circumstance.”