Millions of UK households have received an extra cash boost from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this month, but some older people may have missed out. The DWP has been distributing a £10 Christmas Bonus payment to eligible benefit recipients, but some pensioners might miss this festive windfall due to unclaimed payments.
Most eligible claimants should have seen the money land in their bank accounts earlier this month. If you believe you are eligible but haven't received the payment by the end of the year, the DWP advises getting in touch from January 1 onwards, by which point all payments should have been processed.
To qualify for the DWP Christmas Bonus, you must be receiving one of the following benefits during the qualifying week, usually the first full week of December: State Pension, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Carer's Allowance, or certain other benefits. The payment is automatic and there is no need to apply.
However, older people who have not claimed their State Pension and are not entitled to any of the above benefits will not be deemed eligible and will not automatically receive the bonus. For couples, both parties qualify if each claims an eligible benefit. Even if one partner does not receive a qualifying benefit, they could still be eligible if both are over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week and the other partner was also resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, Switzerland, or a European Economic Area country.
The DWP said earlier this year there is no need to apply as the payment will be made automatically. Those who believe they are eligible but have not received the bonus should contact the DWP after January 1.
