
The Department for Work and Pensions is giving away a Christmas bonus for some of its claimants.
The bonus is paid to people claiming one of a number of benefits, from carer’s allowance to pension credits. It amounts to £10, as first reported by the Mirror.
The DWP has explained that the bonus should appear as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statements. It should appear in your bank from today, Monday – if you think you qualify and don’t see the payment, you should contact your work coach or nearest Jobcentre.
READ MORE: New PIP support to people in these five medical categories
To be eligible for the bonus you must have been present or a resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week concerned (the first full week of December this year).
Sadly this means expats living abroad might not be able to benefit. Those who live in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland are encouraged to contact the government about the matter.
It is unclear if universal credit by itself qualifies you for the bonus.
Here are the benefits you need to be claiming in the first full week of December to automatically qualify:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- 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)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
-
Widowed Parent’s Allowance
-
Widow’s Pension
Couples who both qualify will both get the extra payment.
What do you think? Sign in and join the conversations in the comments below