The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are issuing a special Christmas bonus to people on certain benefits.
The £10 payment is a one-off, tax-free cash boost and will be paid to those who receive the DWP benefit State Pension, or 20 various other benefits, including Adult Disability Payment and Widow’s Pension. It is only paid if the claimant meets the eligibility criteria, which includes a specific qualifying period - typically the first full week of December.
While the specific date is yet to be confirmed as to when people can expect it to land in bank accounts, it is worth noting that the cash boost will be given as a separate payment. This means it may arrive on a different day from the usual benefit payment.
READ NEXT- Nursing strikes in Edinburgh and what the historic vote means for you
People do not need to apply as the extra £10 will automatically be sent to the account you usually receive your benefit or State Pension from. It will show as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement. For those in Scotland claiming the new Adult Disability Payment, they will also be eligible for the payment.
Who is eligible for the £10 Christmas Bonus Payment?
To qualify for this Christmas Bonus, you must be:
living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, any European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland during the qualifying week, which this year is expected to be December 5 - 11
The DWP will write to eligible claimants informing them that they will be receiving the £10 bonus early in December. You must also get at least one of the following benefits in the qualifying week:
- 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
The DWP said that not everyone over the State Pension age will receive this payment. They said: "If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus.”
If you’re part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or living together and you both get one of the qualifying benefits, both of you will get a Christmas Bonus payment.
Also, you do not need to claim the Christmas Bonus - it will be paid automatically. If you think you should get it, but do not receive it in December, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service.
Find out more about the Christmas Bonus on the GOV.UK website.
READ NEXT-
Smart meter energy customer warning as thousands switched to pricier plans
How DWP benefits to be impacted as bank holidays confirmed for 2022 and 2023
The five 'energy thieves' stealing heat from your home that rack up bills
Martin Lewis issues blackout warning as he shares 9-point plan to keep the lights on
Over 30 million household to receive £500 boost from this week to help with cost of living crisis
