The exact date that thousands of people on Universal Credit will receive their payments early this month has been revealed, as millions of benefit claimants will not be paid on their usual dates over the holidays. Those who claim Universal Credit will receive their payments early this month, with the money being expected to land in their bank accounts on the first working day before they were scheduled to be paid. For example, if a person is usually paid on December 25, 26, or 27, they will receive their payment on December 24 instead, due to the last working day before the holidays falling on Tuesday, December 24. Similarly, those due to receive their benefit on January 1 will be paid on December 31, as the last working day before the New Year is Tuesday, December 31. It is important to note that the amount received will not be changed, and recipients will need to make the money last until the following month.
In the event that the money has not been paid into the account as expected, individuals should contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) through the Universal Credit helpline at 0800 328 5644. Other benefits besides Universal Credit will also be impacted by this change, with a total of 11 benefits being affected. Universal Credit is replacing six benefits under the old welfare system, known as legacy benefits, including Working Tax Credit, Child Tax Credit, Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Income-related Employment and Support Allowance, and Housing Benefit. Switching from Legacy Benefits to Universal Credit may not always be to the financial benefit of the individual, so careful consideration and the use of online benefits calculators from charities like Turn2Us and EntitledTo is recommended.
It is important to consider potential eligibility for benefits and not miss out on money that individuals may be entitled to. Various organizations offer benefits calculators to help determine what a person could receive, such as Charity Turn2Us, EntitledTo, MoneySavingExpert.com, StepChange, and Policy in Practice. While the exact entitlement will only be clear when a claim is made, these calculators can provide an indication of possible benefits and how much money may be available each month after housing costs are paid. Ultimately, everyone will eventually be moved over to Universal Credit, and individuals should be aware of the changes and implications for their financial situation. It is advisable to stay informed, seek advice, and ensure that all potential benefits are being accessed.
