Universal Credit claimants will soon receive a Christmas bonus from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) amid the cost of living crisis.
Those who receive Universal Credit amongst other benefits are being urged to check their bank accounts for the cash boost as the Government has said payments should be issued from the first week of December.
The one off payment is tax free, and those who are eligible should receive it automatically so there is no application process.
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A DWP spokesperson said: "The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December."
The payment is paid to help with costs over the festive season and is on top of normal benefits and separate from cost of living support measures which have been announced by the Government, as NottinghamshireLive reports.
Here's everything you need to know about the Christmas bonus.
What is the Christmas bonus payment and how much is it?
The Christmas bonus is £10 and will automatically be sent to the account you usually receive your benefit or State Pension from. You do not need to apply for it.
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 Christmas bonus?
To receive the winter bonus, you must be present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. In the week the bonus is normally delivered (usually the first full week of December), you must also get at least one of the following benefits:
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
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.
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