Millions of Universal Credit claimants across the UK are entitled to a special one-off tax-free Christmas bonus this year. The aim of the payment is to help people with added costs during the festive period.
The cash should have already started dropping into people's bank accounts as DWP confirmed payments would be sent out from the week of December 5. The bonus is paid to people who receive one of a number of DWP benefits, including Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). People do not need to claim the money as it should be sent automatically.
Universal Credit (UC) claimants are not covered by the bonus, although many people on UC may also receive one of the other qualifying benefits, or the State Pension, which would make them eligible, reports Nottinghamshire Live.
