IF you receive universal credit or other kinds of benefits than you could be in line to be paid earlier over the Christmas and New Year period in 2019.

The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced the changes to payment dates during December.

And for some it could be good news – with payments arriving earlier than expected other times of the year.

These include payments for universal credit, child benefit and jobseeker’s allowance (JSA).

Here’s what you need to know for the next few days ahead:

Universal credit

For residents of Portsmouth and the surrounding areas who receive universal credit, here are the payment dates for over Christmas:

- If you are due to be paid on December 28 you will be paid a day earlier on December 27

- If you are due to be paid on December 29 you will be paid two days earlier on December 27

- If you are due to be paid on December 30 you will be paid as usual

- If you are due to be paid on December 31 you will be paid as usual

- If you are due to be paid on first of the month (January 1, 2020) you will be paid on December 31.

Benefits

This includes child benefits, state pension, disability living allowance, carer’s allowance and jobseeker’s allowance (JSA).

Here's when benefit payments will be made over the Christmas period:

- If you are due to be paid on December 28 you will be paid a day earlier on December 27

- If you are due to be paid on December 29 you will be paid two days earlier on December 27

- If you are due to be paid on December 30 you will be paid as usual

- If you are due to be paid on December 31 you will be paid as usual

- If you are due to be paid on first of the month (January 1, 2020) you will be paid on December 31.

Will you be affected by the payment date changes?

Universal credit and benefits payment dates to change over Christmas and New Year 2019 - including jobseeker's allowance and child benefit - here's how you could be affected