Due to bank holiday's, there will be a number of changes to benefit payment dates where entitlements will be paid early.
All benefit payments due on Christmas Eve, 24th December will remain unchanged. If a payment is expected on Christmas day or Boxing day, then this will be paid on Christmas eve.
Friday 27th December payments for Universal Credit will be made on that day, but all other benefits will be paid in advance on Christmas Eve.
All benefits due on Wednesday 1st January will be paid on Tuesday 31st December. Thursday 2nd January is only a bank holiday in Scotland and so Universal Credit payments due on this day will be paid as scheduled, but all other benefits from DWP, HMRC and Social Security Scotland will be paid in advance on Tuesday 31st December.
The above changed payment dates do not affect Best Start Foods, these awards will continue to be loaded onto the payment card as scheduled.
If you receive Universal Credit the amount you get changes if your take-home pay changes. This includes awards of backdated pay, overtime hours as well as early payment of salaries due to the festive period. If you get extra pay within a Universal Credit assessment period (month), your Universal Credit payment will either be less than you normally receive, or your income may be too high to qualify for a payment.
Universal Credit is calculated on your personal circumstances. Because of this, employers do not know how, or if, you'll be affected.
Any salary payment increase means you will either receive less Universal Credit than normal or you may even earn too much to qualify and your Universal Credit claim MAY close. If your claim closes, you will see a message on your UC Journal telling you about this and what to do next. Remember you can contact your Case Manager through your journal or call 0800 328 5644 if you need more information.
Useful UC links:
HMRC are encouraging online Child Benefit claims prior to your baby's first Christmas. Online applications can be made from 48 hours after registering your baby's birth and payment can typically be made within 3 working days.
Get your Child Benefit claim wrapped up for baby’s first Christmas - GOV.UK
The new arrival may also trigger further benefit entitlements such as the Scottish Child Payment, Best Start Grants, Best Start Foods etc so new parents should be encouraged to use The Fife Benefit Checker and claim all entitlements to help with the cost of raising a child. Increase your income | Cost of Living Support
For those who do not qualify, they may wish to explore how to save on any childcare costs: Tax free childcare | Cost of Living Support
If you know someone who is celebrating their baby's first Christmas this year, share this information with them to ensure this hasn't been overlooked in the excitement of the new arrival and sleep routine disruptions.
Aberlour is co-hosting a national conference with the University of Glasgow's Centre for Public Policy, focusing on tackling child poverty through public debt reform this Debt Awareness Week in March 2025.
The conference is for anyone working in the third sector, public sector or academia with an interest in addressing child poverty through public debt reform.
A full agenda of keynote speakers and workshops will be published soon.
Early booking below
At the November decision meeting 5 Transport Grants totalling £67,500 were awarded. Amongst the awardees were Furniture Plus:
Furniture Plus - £18,000
Towards the costs of the electric van and driver's salaryFurniture Plus is a Kirkcaldy-based charity that provides free or affordable furniture, white goods and starter packs to support people starting a new tenancy and families on low incomes. They also provide training and volunteering opportunities for people experiencing long-term unemployment. The van will be used to support the delivery of their services, enabling them to cut waiting times and offer same-day delivery in response to urgent requests, including, for example, for families fleeing domestic abuse and moving into a new tenancy.
Thank you to Audrey Cunningham with her support creating this week's bulletin. The next one will be week the 6th of January . Hoping everyone has a good Christmas,
Sheena
Contact: Sheena Watson
Email: sheena.watson@fife.gov.uk
