If you receive the state pension, you’ll need to understand a two-digit code which could determine your payments. DWP state pension payments could arrive early for millions of pensioners this Christmas.

If you are due a DWP benefit payment over the upcoming three bank holidays, you could receive it early as payments won’t be made on these days. For those due to be paid on December 25 or 26, you will be paid on December 24 instead. For those due to be paid on January 1, you will be paid on December 31 instead. The DWP confirmed the early payment policy on its official website, stating: “If your payment date is on a weekend or a bank holiday, you’ll usually be paid on the working day before.”

If you’re wondering when you’ll be receiving your payments, you can check your usual state pension payment by looking for a two-digit code, reports Swindon Advertiser.

The last two digits of your National Insurance number are the dates on which your payments are issued.

• If the numbers are between 00 and 19 then your state pension payments are usually made on a Monday.

• If your numbers are between 20 and 39 then you will get your payments on Tuesday.

• Those with numbers ending from 40 to 59 show you will get the payment on a Wednesday.

• The code 60 to 79 indicates that your state pension is paid on a Thursday.

• The numbers 80 to 99 mean you usually have a Friday payment.

If your state pension payments are due the week beginning December 22 and your National Insurance number ends in 60 to 99 then you are likely to be paid earlier that week.

Even though your payments will be paid on a different date, they will remain at the same amount they usually would be. But the state pension is not the benefit which could be affected.

HMRC has confirmed there will be no changes to Child Benefit Payment dates over Christmas and New Year. You can see the full list of payment date changes for next year on GOV.UK.

Other benefits which could be impacted include:

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Disability Living Allowance

• Employment and Support Allowance

• Income Support

• Jobseeker’s Allowance

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• Tax Credits

• Universal Credit