Social security Scotland payment dates for 2026

Social Security Scotland pays most benefits every four weeks, on a date set by when your award started. When that date lands on a bank holiday, you're paid early. Over Christmas 2026, anything due from 24 to 28 December comes on Wednesday 23 December, and anything due on 1 or 4 January comes on Thursday 31 December.

Christmas 2026 payment dates

The early payment is the same money, not extra. That means a longer gap until the next one in January, which catches a lot of people out. I'd plan for the money landing on the 23rd to last into the middle of January.

Every bank holiday change to 2028

How your normal payment date works

• •Adult Disability Payment: every four weeks, in arrears. Weekly in advance if you're terminally ill.
• •Carer Support Payment: every four weeks, at the end of the four weeks, with the Scottish Carer Supplement included.
• •Scottish Child Payment: every four weeks.
• •Best Start Foods: every four weeks onto your card. Bank holidays don't move it.
• •Pension Age Winter Heating Payment: once, from November 2026.
• •Winter Heating Payment: once, from December.

Your own date is on your award letter. If you've lost it, ring 0800 182 2222 and they can tell you.