The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially announced the details for its annual tax-free Christmas Bonus, confirming that millions of eligible individuals across the UK will receive the payment automatically next month.
Who is eligible for the payment?
To qualify for the one-off £10 Christmas Bonus, you must meet two key conditions. Firstly, you must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week, which is typically the first full week of December.
Secondly, you must be receiving at least one of a long list of qualifying state benefits during that same week. The DWP has confirmed that this extensive list includes:
- Universal Credit
- State Pension
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer's Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Adult Disability Payment
- Pension Credit
- Employment and Support Allowance (contribution-based, after the first 13 weeks)
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
If you are married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting, and you both receive a qualifying benefit, you will each be entitled to your own £10 payment.
How and when will you receive the bonus?
The DWP has stated that the payments will be made automatically in early December. There is no need for you to apply for the bonus. The payment will be deposited directly into the bank account where you normally receive your benefits.
This process is designed to be straightforward, ensuring that those who are entitled to the support receive it with minimal effort. The payment is tax-free and will not affect any other benefits you might be receiving.
What to do if you don't receive your payment
While the system is automated, the DWP advises that if you believe you meet all the eligibility criteria but have not received your payment by the 1st of January, you should take action.
You are encouraged to contact the specific office that handles your payments. This could be your local Jobcentre Plus office or the Pension Service, depending on which benefits you claim.
It is crucial to remember that if you have not yet claimed your State Pension and are not receiving any other qualifying benefits, you will not be eligible for the Christmas Bonus this year.
