Benefit claimants are set to receive a festive financial boost with a £10 Christmas bonus from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) hitting their bank accounts starting today. This annual tenner from the DWP is aimed at helping those on certain benefits cope with the extra expenses that often come with the holiday season.
To pocket this extra payment, claimants must be receiving a qualifying benefit, such as Carer's Allowance, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Pension Credit or Personal Independence Payments (PIP), among others. But not all benefit claimants will receive this minor cash boost.
The bonuses are being dished out during the first full week of December, so recipients should already be receiving their tenner. There is no need to apply – it's all done automatically and will land directly in bank accounts.
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On bank statements, this nifty £10 will appear as 'DWP XB', reports the Manchester Evening News. If you think you're due a bonus but haven't received it by the end of December, the DWP advises that you give them a phonecall on January, when all payments should have been made.
To get the DWP Christmas Bonus, you've got to beliving around in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week, usually the first full week of December, and be on one of the eligible benefits.
The DWP has also pointed out: "If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus."
Individuals who are married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting and both claim one of the qualifying benefits, should each receive a Christmas Bonus payment.
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