Millions of people have started receiving a Christmas bonus into their bank accounts this week. Around 22 million people in the UK are estimated to be claiming some form of benefits according to recent statistics published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).
As well as getting their their regular payments in December, some claimants will also get an additional £10 payment. The scheme has run for several years and sees a one-off, tax-free £10 payment made to people in receipt of state pension or certain DWP benefits if they meet the eligibility during a specific qualifying period which is usually the first full week of December.
The DWP has confirmed it has started sending out the payment this week with millions of people expected to see the extra money land in their bank accounts. Here is everything you need to know about the Christmas bonus including whether you are eligible and when you will get it.
Who is eligible for the Christmas bonus?
To qualify for the 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. 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
When will I get my money?
The bonus is normally paid out in December and the DWP has confirmed it has begun sending out the money this week. You do not need to claim it - you should get it automatically. If you think you should get it but do not receive it in December you should contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the pension service. The DWP will make this as a separate payment, independent of your usual one, so it may arrive on a different day. It will show as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement.
Who is not eligible for the Christmas bonus?
Some people will not receive the Christmas bonus. People who claim universal credit alone, and none of the above benefits, are not eligible and will not receive the bonus. You can find out more about that here. To get all the latest money-saving news straight to your inbox twice a week sign up here.
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