People in work have to budget over Christmas, as most people get December's pay a week or so early, depending on where Christmas falls; but they don't lose a month's pay and then have to wait for another five weeks when they are already on a low income.
Thanks, oldgimmer1. I don't know if they have challenged it, or whether my friend has the strength just now - she has (temporary, she hopes) health problems of her own, and the stress of all this is not helping.
How do you acknowledge Easter.