November 12th 2024.
Are you in need of some extra cash? Well, you may be in luck because the annual Department for Work and Pensions Christmas bonus is back for 2024! Millions of Brits are eligible for this tax-free bonus, which is set to arrive in bank accounts during the first week of December. While it may only be a £10 boost, this scheme has been running since 1972 and has provided a little bit of extra holiday cheer for many individuals and families.
The Christmas bonus is available to those receiving the state pension or certain other benefits. To qualify, you need to meet the eligibility criteria during the qualifying period, typically the first full week of December. And the great news is, there's no need to apply for the bonus! It should automatically be deposited into the account where your pension or other benefits are paid, with the payment reference 'DWP XB'.
This payment has been a tradition since the 1970s, when it was first brought in by the Tories. However, it has not been increased or uprated since then. In fact, that initial tenner from 1972 would be equivalent to about £165 in today's money. So while it may not seem like much, it's still a nice little bonus to receive during the holiday season.
Now, you may be wondering who exactly is eligible for this Christmas bonus. Well, to be eligible, you must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week, which is set for December 2-8. It's important to note that not everyone over state pension age will receive the payment. According to the DWP, "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."
If you are part of a married couple, in a civil partnership, or living together as if you are, and you both receive one of the qualifying benefits, you will each receive a £10 Christmas bonus payment. However, if your partner or civil partner does not receive one of the qualifying benefits, they may still be eligible for the Christmas bonus if both of the following apply: you are both over state pension age by the end of the qualifying week and your partner or civil partner was also present in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, a European Economic Area country, or Switzerland during the qualifying week.
So, what are the qualifying benefits for the Christmas bonus? Here is a list of all the benefits that make you eligible for the bonus. Keep in mind that you must receive at least one of these benefits during the qualifying week to receive the bonus: Adult Disability Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment, 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 Age Disability Payment, Pension Credit (the guarantee element), Personal Independence Payment, 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, and Widow's Pension.
So, if you receive any of these benefits, keep an eye out for that extra £10 in your account during the first week of December. And remember, it's a small but appreciated gesture from the government to help make the holiday season a little brighter for those who may need it. Happy holidays!
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
