DWP payment date changes and when extra cash will land

Many people who receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will notice their payment dates shifting in the forthcoming weeks.

DWP payments are typically transferred directly into a designated bank, building society or building account on a regular basis. Usually this means money arrives once a month, every four weeks, or every fortnight, depending on which benefit(s) you receive.

However, the date is adjusted if your usual day coincides with a bank holiday. And next month, there will be two such occasions.

If your benefit payment(s) are due to arrive on December 25 or December 26, they will likely be paid earlier - as these dates mark Christmas Day and Boxing Day, respectively.

This isn't the only DWP change for December, as millions of individuals will also see extra funds credited to their accounts next month, too.

DWP issues a one-off Christmas bonus to individuals claiming specific benefits in what is known as the "qualifying week", generally the first complete week of December. DWP guidance confirms: "You do not need to claim - you should get paid automatically."

The payment will not affect any other benefits you claim, and will be credited to your standard account. It may show as DWP XB on your statement.

To qualify for the bonus you must be present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK throughout the qualifying week - usually the first week of December. During this timeframe you must also be claiming at least one of these DWP benefits:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Carer Support Payment
• Child Disability Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
• Disability Living Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
• Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
• Mobility Supplement
• Pension Age Disability Payment
• Pension Credit - the guarantee element
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
• Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
• War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
• War Widow's Pension
• Widowed Mother's Allowance
• Widowed Parent's Allowance
• Widow's Pension

DWP guidance states: "If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus."