Millions of people receiving specific benefits in the UK will receive some extra Christmas cash this year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will issue a one-off tax-free £10 payment before Christmas. According to the DWP, this is normally paid in the first full week of December.
Furthermore, the Christmas bonus will be handed out automatically - as long you reach the criteria and eligibility set by the government. The payment will be separate from regular benefit payments and will have no effect on any benefits the claimant is receiving at the time.
However, it's important to note that you may receive the Christmas bonus on a separate date from any other benefit payments that are due in December. Over the coming weeks, here's who will be considered eligible for the Christmas bonus
Eligibility for the DWP Christmas bonus
In order to get a Christmas bonus you must first and foremost be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week - generally the first full week of December. The DWP has also clarified that those receiving Universal Credit only will not be eligible for the Christmas bonus, however, someone receiving Universal Credit and one of the other qualifying benefits may still receive it.
You must also be receiving at least one of the following benefits during the qualifying week:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit - guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension Age
- War Widow's Pension
- Widowed Mother's Allowance
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
- Widow's Pension
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