Overview
- Payments due on Thursday 1 January 2026 will be made on Wednesday 31 December 2025, and in Scotland payments due on Friday 2 January will also be paid on 31 December.
- Affected DWP benefits include Universal Credit, State Pension, Pension Credit, DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, ESA, Income Support and JSA, with Universal Credit due on Friday 2 January paid as normal.
- Social Security Scotland says Scottish disability payments and Scottish Child Payment due on 1 or 2 January will be paid on 31 December, while Best Start Foods is unaffected.
- HMRC confirms a change only for Child Benefit in Scotland, with payments due on Monday 5 January paid on Tuesday 6 January.
- The DWP urges claimants to check the published schedules, expect a longer gap before the next cycle after early receipt and contact the paying office if an adjusted payment does not arrive.