Full list of benefits delivered by DWP, Social Security Scotland and HMRC due to be paid early.
07:49, 29 Dec 2025Updated 08:41, 29 Dec 2025
Full list of benefits delivered by DWP, Social Security Scotland and HMRC due to be paid early.(Image: Getty )
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed changes to State Pensions and benefits over New Year for people whose scheduled payments fall on certain days. People in Scotland only will also receive payments earlier due to the bank holiday on Friday, January 2.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and Social Security Scotland have also published online guidance advising people of changes to benefit payment dates. State Pension and benefit payments that fall on January 1st and 2nd (Scotland only) will be affected by the festive period.
This is because offices, web services and telephone lines tend to close on the same days over the festive period and DWP, HMRC and Social Security Scotland ensure payments are made on a day when offices are open so claimants can speak to an advisor.
READ MORE: HMRC confirms Child Benefit payment delay for parents in Scotland next weekREAD MORE: Full list of benefits and one-off payments only people in Scotland can claim
There will be no payment date changes for people in England or Wales in receipt of Child Benefit this week as New Year’s Day falls on a Thursday – the HMRC payment is only issued on Mondays and Tuesdays.
However, parents and guardians in Scotland due a Child Benefit payment on Monday, January 5 will receive it a day later on Tuesday, January 6.
New Year’s Day is a bank holiday in Scotland, England and Wales while January 2nd is only recognised as a bank holiday in Scotland.
DWP New Year payment dates
DWP has published payment date changes over New Year on GOV.UK.
DWP benefits and payments affected:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance (ESA)
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
DWP payment date changes
Universal Credit payment dates over New Year
Payment due on:
- Thursday January 1 – Paid on Wednesday December 31
- Friday January 2 -No change
Other DWP benefit and State Pension payment dates
New Year payments due on:
- Thursday January 1 – Paid on Wednesday December 31
- Friday January 2 (Scotland only) – Paid on Wednesday December 31
Social Security Scotland payment date changes
Full details on Social Security Scotland payment date changes over New Year can be found here.
Social Security Scotland payment date changes:
- Payment due on Thursday January 1 – paid on Wednesday, December 31
- Payment due on Friday January 2 – paid on Wednesday, December 31
This will affect people in receipt of:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Scottish Child Payment
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance
Best Start Foods payments will not be affected.
HMRC payment date changes
HMRC has confirmed there will only be changes to Child Benefit payment dates for parents in Scotland:
- Payment due on Monday January 5 – paid into bank account on Tuesday January 6
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