Boxing Day falls on a Saturday this year, so a substitute bank holiday will take place on Monday, December 28, which could affect when millions of benefit claimants and state pensioners receive their money.
Christmas Day lands on Friday, December 25, so no substitute day is needed for that holiday. The change means the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) payment date will be moved for millions of claimants next month, while other payments will be sent out as normal for most of the month.
How Bank Holiday Payments Work
Guidance on the official government website states: "Benefits are usually paid straight into your bank, building society or credit union account. If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday you'll usually be paid on the working day before. This may be different for Child Benefit."
The payment date changes also apply to the state pension. The basic state pension is typically paid straight into your bank account every four weeks, with the exact day corresponding to the last two digits of your National Insurance number.
What Claimants Should Expect
The change of dates means money will need to last longer than in previous months, because it will be paid earlier. If benefits are expected but have not arrived, claimants should contact the DWP on 0800 328 5644, noting that the DWP may be closed on bank holidays.
Upcoming Bank Holiday Dates
For 2026, the bank holidays are Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day) and Monday, December 28 (Boxing Day substitute). In 2027, both Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall on a weekend, leading to substitute bank holidays on Monday, December 27 and Tuesday, December 28. New Year's Day 2028 will fall on a Saturday, meaning the bank holiday will instead be on Monday, January 3, 2028.
Other bank holidays remain as expected, including Easter 2027 bank holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday.
