Millions of people will receive a tax-free bonus this Christmas after an announcement by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).
Those receiving State Pension or disability payment will qualify for the £10 cash boost in December.
People eligible for the bonus will be notified by letter and receive funds automatically from the DWP.
The bonus will be made as a separate payment with the reference DWP XB ahead of December 25.
Who is eligible for the Christmas bonus?
To qualify for the Christmas bonus you must meet specific criteria.
Firstly, you must be living in the UK, the Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, any European Economic Area country (EEA) or Switzerland during the qualifying week – this is normally the first full week of December.
You must also get at least one of the following benefits in the qualifying week:
- 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 haven’t claimed your State Pension or aren’t entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits, you’ll not receive a Christmas bonus.
How to claim the £10 Christmas bonus
If you’re eligible for the £10 bonus boost you’ll receive a letter from the DWP in the coming weeks.
You won’t need to take any further action if you’re eligible for the bonus. The money will be transferred automatically to your bank account ahead of December 25 with the reference DWP XB.
If you don’t receive the payment but think that you should be entitled to it, you should contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service.
Checking your benefit entitlement
If you’re worried about your finances ahead of the festive season it’s important to check you’re receiving all the financial help you’re entitled to.
For some the benefits system can seem daunting and knowing where to turn for support can seem difficult.
If you’re unsure what support and benefits could be available to you, check out the government’s benefit checker here.
The anonymous tool is free to use and can help you find out what benefits you’re entitled to, how to claim and how your benefits could be affected by work.
