The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will distribute a Christmas bonus to individuals claiming Pension Credit before the end of the year. Pension Credit supplements one's income and also grants access to additional benefits, such as the Winter Fuel Payment and a complimentary TV licence for those over 75.
It increases weekly income to £218.15 for single individuals or joint weekly income to £332.95 for couples, known as the main part or "guarantee element" of Pension Credit, reports the Mirror.
Those receiving this will be paid a £10 Christmas bonus by the DWP in early December, provided they are receiving one of the following benefits during the "qualifying week", typically the first full week of December:
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)Eligibility for the Unemployability Supplement or Allowance extends to those involved in Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes, while the War Disablement Pension is applicable upon reaching State Pension age. Moreover, the War Widow's Pension, Widowed Mother's Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance, and Widow's Pension are also included.
Importantly, individuals must be either present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. Married couples, civil partners, or cohabiting partners could both be eligible for the Christmas bonus if each person is receiving one of the specified benefits.
Entitlement to the £10 payment is typically automatic, negating the need for an application. This bonus will often show up as "DWP XB" on bank statements and is designed to be tax-free, ensuring it has no impact on other benefits.
Even if one partner doesn't receive a qualifying benefit, they can still qualify for the bonus under certain criteria.
Both individuals must be over the State Pension age by the end of the qualification week, and both must have been present or "ordinarily resident" within designated areas - including the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, EEA countries, or Switzerland.
Moreover, one of the following conditions must be met: entitlement to a boost in a qualifying benefit for a spouse or civil partner, or receipt of Pension Credit as the only qualifying benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) introduced the Christmas bonus in 1972, a gesture now met with criticism by families who label it an "insult" due to the fact that the payment has not seen a permanent increase since its inception. Although temporarily lifted to £70 in 2008 amidst the financial crisis, it was reverted to £10 the subsequent year.
