That Christmas pay day can’t come soon enough after weeks of gift giving, parties and more (Picture: Getty)

For many people, the most wonderful time of the year is upon us – Christmas!

Despite being a joyous time for many, there’s plenty of factors that can cause some stress and worry over the festive period, from Christmas shopping to posting out your presents on time.

And the cost of living crisis means people’s finances are already stretched more than in previous years.

With a lot more outgoings than usual, some employers will change the way their employees get paid over the holidays.

So will you be getting paid before the big day?

Christmas pay dates 2022

It’s not uncommon for employers to change the payday for December so that you have money to cover Christmas.

With Christmas Day a Sunday this year, many might move your payments to December 23 to get ahead of the weekend and bank holidays that will stretch from December 26 to December 27.

Many might even pay you the week before, giving you enough money to get everything you might need.

Having Christmas covered is one thing, but people already have a high chance of going into debt over Christmas and an early payday could mean having to make one paycheque last longer than usual.

Giving up on presents altogether might be too drastic for some, but you can check out Equifax’s tips to help that budgeting over Christmas, such as always keeping your present receipts and putting a small amount of savings away each year specifically to cover Christmas.

Christmas shopping, parties and food can all leave you stretched by the end of the month (Picture: Getty)

Universal Credit payments over Christmas

Universal Credit – which includes Housing Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), Jobseeker’s Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Income Support – payments will also be different over the Christmas period.

If your payment is due on Monday, December 26 or Tuesday, December 27 both your Universal Credit and any other benefits will be paid on Friday, December 23.

If your payment’s due on Wednesday 28 December, your Universal Credit will be paid on 28 December and any other benefits will be paid Friday, December 23.

If your payment is expected on Monday, January 2, Universal Credit and any other benefits will be paid on Friday, December 30.

If you’re expecting payments on Tuesday, January 3 all Universal Credit and other benefits will be paid on January 3 (or December 30 if you’re in Scotland).

MORE : Turkey prices rise by 26% amid UK shortages due to bird flu

MORE : How to tell family and friends you’re cutting back on spending this Christmas

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Paydays are changing over the festive season.