Millions of pensioners will see their DWP State Pension payments arrive early this Christmas.
We are about to see three bank holidays where payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) won't be made. If you are due to receive a DWP benefit payment on any of them, you may find you receive it early.
For example, if you are due to be paid on Thursday, December 25, or Friday 26, then your payment will arrive on Wednesday 24 instead.
If you are due to be paid on Thursday, January 1, then you will get the cash on Wednesday, December 31, but this can vary.
How do I figure out my DWP pension payment date?
You can check your usual state pension payment date by looking for a two-digit code.
The last two digits of your National Insurance number are the dates on which your payments are issued.
- If the numbers are between 00 and 19 then your state pension payments are usually made on a Monday.
- If your numbers are between 20 and 39 then you will get your payments on Tuesday.
- Those with numbers ending from 40 to 59 show you will get the payment on a Wednesday.
- The code 60 to 79 indicates that your state pension is paid on a Thursday.
- The numbers 80 to 99 mean you usually have a Friday payment.
DWP Benefit and Pension Payment Dates for December 2025
If your state pension payments are due the week beginning December 22 and your National Insurance number ends in 60 to 99 then you are likely to be paid earlier that week.
Payment amounts will stay the same even if they arrive a day or two early.
Experts are warning that the earlier date could throw off people’s budgeting, especially as the cost-of-living crisis continues to bite.
Recommended reading
- How much will DWP benefits and pensions rise following the budget?
- How much could your state pension increase by next year?
- What does the budget mean for pensioners, and those approaching State Pension age?
DWP benefits payment dates over Christmas and New Year
These are the other DWP benefits that may be affected by the bank holidays over Christmas and New Year:
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Benefit
- Disability Living Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Income Support
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Tax Credits
- Universal Credit
The DWP confirmed the early payment policy on its official website, stating: “If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.”
