A total of 22 million people across the UK claimed at least one benefit back in February, according to the latest Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) figures. That number includes nearly 12.5 million older people now in receipt of State Pension payments, a contributory benefit only available to those of retirement age with at least 10 years’ worth of National Insurance Contributions.
However, many people may not be aware of an annual bonus paid to those on certain benefits before Christmas. This is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment made to people in receipt of State Pension or 20 DWP benefits if they meet the eligibility during a specific qualifying period, which is typically the first full week of December.
It’s worth noting that the DWP will make this as a separate payment, independent of your usual one, so it may arrive on a different day. Nobody needs to claim the extra £10 as it should automatically go into the account where you usually receive your benefit payments or state Pension and will show as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement, reports the Liverpool Echo.
