Bank holiday payment dates
If your benefit, State Pension or Universal Credit payment is due on a bank holiday, you'll usually be paid on the working day before. Here's when that applies for every upcoming bank holiday.
These dates follow the standard rule used by the Department for Work and Pensions and HMRC. At Christmas and Easter the DWP also publishes an official schedule on GOV.UK – always check that if you're unsure. Dates shown are for England and Wales.
| If your payment is due on | Bank holiday | You'll usually be paid on |
|---|---|---|
| Friday 25 December 2026 | Christmas Day | Thursday 24 December 2026 |
| Monday 28 December 2026 | Boxing Day | Thursday 24 December 2026 |
| Friday 1 January 2027 | New Year's Day | Thursday 31 December 2026 |
| Friday 26 March 2027 | Good Friday | Thursday 25 March 2027 |
| Monday 29 March 2027 | Easter Monday | Thursday 25 March 2027 |
| Monday 3 May 2027 | Early May bank holiday | Friday 30 April 2027 |
| Monday 31 May 2027 | Spring bank holiday | Friday 28 May 2027 |
| Monday 30 August 2027 | Summer bank holiday | Friday 27 August 2027 |
Christmas and New Year 2026 payment dates
Christmas is when most payments move, because bank holidays and a weekend come close together. If you're due to be paid on any of these days, expect the money on the date shown.
| Due on | Paid on | Why it moves |
|---|---|---|
| Fri 25 Dec | Thu 24 Dec | Christmas Day |
| Sat 26 Dec | Thu 24 Dec | Weekend |
| Sun 27 Dec | Thu 24 Dec | Weekend |
| Mon 28 Dec | Thu 24 Dec | Boxing Day |
| Fri 1 Jan | Thu 31 Dec | New Year's Day |
| Sat 2 Jan | Thu 31 Dec | Weekend |
| Sun 3 Jan | Thu 31 Dec | Weekend |
Christmas bank holidays and bank opening days · Is Christmas Eve a bank holiday?
Which payments does this cover?
The rule applies to most payments from the DWP, including State Pension, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Employment and Support Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance. HMRC payments such as Child Benefit follow the same principle.
What about Scotland and Northern Ireland?
Payment dates are moved when the banking system is closed for processing, which follows the England and Wales bank holidays shown above. Scotland's and Northern Ireland's extra bank holidays don't usually change when payments are made, but your own bank's opening times may differ. If a payment hasn't arrived on the expected date, contact the office that pays your benefit.
Getting paid for the bank holiday at work
This page is about when money arrives. Whether you're paid for the bank holiday itself, or get extra for working it, depends on your contract – our guide to bank holiday pay and entitlement explains the rules.
Working days calculator · Bank holiday pay at work · Upcoming bank holidays
Frequently asked questions
What happens if my benefit payment date is on a bank holiday?
If your payment is due on a bank holiday, you will usually be paid on the working day before. Payments due on a weekend are usually paid on the Friday before.
When will Universal Credit be paid at Christmas 2026?
If your payment is due on a weekend or bank holiday over Christmas and New Year, you'll usually be paid on the working day before:
- Due Friday 25 December: paid Thursday 24 December
- Due Saturday 26 December: paid Thursday 24 December
- Due Sunday 27 December: paid Thursday 24 December
- Due Monday 28 December: paid Thursday 24 December
- Due Friday 1 January: paid Thursday 31 December
- Due Saturday 2 January: paid Thursday 31 December
- Due Sunday 3 January: paid Thursday 31 December
The DWP confirms its Christmas schedule on GOV.UK each year.
Is my salary paid early on a bank holiday?
Most employers pay on the last working day before if payday falls on a bank holiday or weekend, but this depends on your employer's payroll policy.
Do I get paid for the bank holiday itself?
That depends on your contract, not on payment dates. Most full-time employees get bank holidays as paid leave, often counted within their 28 days. See bank holiday pay and entitlement for the rules.