Benefit payment dates over Christmas and New Year

The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the dates that certain benefits payment will be paid over the festive period.

Universal Credit payment dates:

  • Payment due on Thursday, December 24: No change
  • Payment due on December 25, 26, 27 or 28: Thursday, December 24
  • Payment due on December 29: No change
  • Payment due on December 30: No change
  • Payment due on December 31: No change
  • Payment due on January 1, 2021: Thursday, December 31
  • Payment due on January 4, 2021: No change

Child Benefit payment dates:

  • Payment due on Monday, December 28: Thursday, December 24
  • Payment due on Tuesday, December 29 : No change
  • Payment due on Monday, January 4 2021: Thursday, December 31, 2020
  • Payment due on Tuesday, January 5 2021: Wednesday, January 6, 2021

Tax Credit payment dates:

  • Payment due on December 25: Thursday, December 24
  • Payment due on December 28: Thursday, December 24
  • Payment due on January 1, 2021: Thursday, December 31, 2020
  • Payment due on January 4, 2021: Thursday, December 31, 2020

Other DWP benefit payment dates:

These payment dates cover other benefits including PIP, Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and State Pension:

  • Payment due on Thursday, December 24: Wednesday, December 23
  • Payment due on December 25, 26, 27 or 28: Wednesday, December 23
  • Payment due on December 29: No change
  • Payment due on December 30: No change
  • Payment due on December 31: No change
  • Payment due on January 1, 2021: Thursday, December 31
  • Payment due on January 4, 2021: Thursday December 31

Scottish Child Payment bridging payments

Earlier in the year, the Scottish Government announced additional payments for school aged children.  £160 was paid per child to eligible families on 8th October and a further payment will be made in December for each P1 to S6 pupil who is entitled to Free School Meals due to their parent/guardian being in receipt of low income or a qualifying benefit. The payment can be used by families for any purpose as they see fit.

This payment is in addition to support delivered through the continuation of Free School Meals over the school holidays and the £130 Low Income Pandemic Payment.

Who will receive the payment?

  • Children in P4-S6 who receive Free School Meals will be eligible for the payment.
  • Children in P1-P3 who are eligible due to low income or qualifying benefits only.  Children in P1-P3 who receive universal Free School Meals, and who do not meet the financial qualifying conditions for Free School Meals, are not eligible for these additional payments.
  • Pre-school aged children are not eligible for this additional payment. The Scottish Child Payment is available for children under the age of 6.

Is the payment per family or per child?

  • A payment of £160 will be made for each eligible child in the household.

How will I receive the payment?

  • Payment will be made automatically for all children entitled to receive Free School Meals and meet the criteria detailed above.

When will I receive the payment?

  • Eligible children would have received the October payment on 8th October and the next payment will be in December.

For more information about this payment, please contact our welfare rights officers David and George on 0141 763 0511.

New Rules approved at SGM and Board Members elected at AGM on 21st September

The Association held a successful Special General Meeting (SGM) followed by an Annual General Meeting (AGM) on Tuesday 21st September. It was held at the Shettleston Juniors Club to allow for social distancing at a larger venue than the reception area in our office. Thanks to all those that made the effort to come along and take part in both meetings.

At the SGM, Tony Teasdale, CEO, presented proposed changes to the Association’s Rules for members to consider and approve. The Rules were approved by at least 75% of the members present at the meeting. A copy of the new Rules can be viewed by clicking here.

The AGM followed immediately after the SGM, at which James McBride of auditors Azets spoke about the annual accounts – these can be viewed here. The meeting then considered the nominations that had been received to the Board. Lesley Scoffield, Christine Thomson and John Morrison were re-elected and new recruits Brian Barclay, Hugh McIntosh, Edward Robertson and Chloe Park were elected to the Board.

The Office Bearers were elected at the first Board meeting after the AGM, and they are Lesley Scoffield (Chair), Christine Thomson (Vice Chair) and Elizabeth Battersby (Secretary). The new Board can be viewed here.