There are eight bank holidays currently confirmed for January
Benefit payment dates for January(Image: PA)
Many benefit claimants were faced with payment disruption this month as the festive period and bank holidays meant usual payment dates for millions of people were changed. As we enter January, payments will mostly be going out as normal.
However, January does have one bank holiday. Anyone due to receive a payment on January 1, New Year’s Day, should instead receive a payment on the day before, Wednesday December 31. Although inflation dropped to 3.2% in November, down from 3.6%, for millions of people, managing the cost of living remains a daily struggle for people buying everyday essentials.
Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. DWP said: “If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you’ll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for Child Benefit.”
If you had been expecting your benefits but they hadn’t arrived, you need to contact the Department of Work and Pensions on 0800 328 5644. You will need your National Insurance number when you call the number.
There are now around 24m people in the country claiming some combination of DWP-administered benefits, which include those claiming a state pension. This equates to around one in three people.
In months when benefit payment dates are altered, it is important to plan ahead. The changes mean your money has to stretch for longer. If your payment date doesn’t fall on a bank holiday, your payments will be made as normal.
Benefit payments will be going out as normal in January for most claimants. Benefits being sent to people next month includes:
- Universal credit
- State pension
- Pension credit
- Child benefit
- Disability living allowance (DLA)
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
- Attendance allowance
- Carer’s allowance
- Employment support allowance (ESA)
- Income support
- Jobseeker’s allowance
The basic state pension is paid straight into bank accounts, similarly to how benefits are paid. It is usually paid every four weeks, with the exact day you receive it corresponding to the last two digits of your national insurance (NI) number. The bank holiday payment date changes that apply to most benefits will also apply to state pension payments.
Here is when you should be paid state pension:
- 00 to 19: Monday
- 20 to 39: Tuesday
- 40 to 59: Wednesday
- 60 to 79: Thursday
- 80 to 99: Friday
In 2026 like the previous year, there are eight bank holidays in England and Wales. However, Boxing Day will fall on Saturday December 26, meaning a substitute day will be granted for it on December 28.