Benefits claimants have hit out at the annual £10 Christmas bonus for disabled and low-income people - with one calling it a "joke".
The benefit boost is paid in the first week of December to those on legacy benefits.
The £10 Christmas bonus was first paid in 1972 - and it has stayed at £10 ever since.
Ten quid in 1972 was worth around £106.12 in today's money when inflation is factored in.
One Mirror reader said: "It's a joke, what can you do with that? That's just bus fare to even get to the shops. If it was £30 or £40 then yes, it'd be more helpful. The world is a big mess."
Another benefits claimant emailed to say: "I don’t see how £10 is enough. I have family of six and we are heading towards Christmas - I don’t mean buying more presents, I mean essential food.
"It barely covers what my fuel is daily (£8), it’s ludicrous. I’m grateful for the extra help, I am, but with my low earnings topped up by Universal Credit I struggle. So my household will be one of those that will either eat or be warm, I can’t do both."
A third reader said: "How the hell can they justify a £10 bonus as being helpful? I mean, what can you get for £10? A few food items or a cheap Christmas present."
A DWP spokesperson said: “We know that Christmas is a time that can stretch budgets which is why we offer those on certain benefits a £10 bonus and pay many people their benefits earlier than usual, helping them over the festive period.”
You must get at least one of the following benefits to qualify for the £10 bonus:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit - the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow's Pension
- Widowed Mother's Allowance
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
- Widow's Pension
You do not need to claim the Christmas Bonus, as it should be paid automatically into your account.
The bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment which does not affect any other benefits you get.
The Department for Work and Pensions has explained the bonus may show up as 'DWP XB' on bank statements.
To be eligible for a Christmas Bonus, you must be present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week.
This is usually the first week of December.
