It might only be good for a pint in London, a Tube ride across town, or a chart CD, but the Government is giving thousands of people £10 this Christmas.
Payments are starting to be received under the heading of “DWP XB” – which is an extra benefit to usual and not part of the standard run for Universal Credit.
The Department of Work and Pensions has explained the mystery payment that has started to appear in bank accounts is nothing to worry about.
Instead, this is a Christmas bonus which the Government has been sending to benefits claimants for many years.
“The Christmas bonus is a one-off payment of £10,” the department has said.
“It will not affect any other benefits you get.
“If you get more than one Christmas Bonus, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service.”
Like all benefits and allowances, it will be paid into your bank account. It is set to be paid during the week beginning December 4.
“Just got my £10 Xmas bonus from those lovely people at the DWP,” said Kevin on Twitter.
“Introduced in 72-73 but the amount has never changed. If inflation proofed, it would've been £140+ by now. Instead, we get a winter fuel payment as well.”
For more information, click here.
The bonus comes after a £300 cost-of-living payment made in October.
Previously, MPs have expressed concern that cost-of-living payments will not be enough to meet the scale of the problem, while thousands of people could claim PIP payments dating back to April 2016.
Who receives the Department for Work and Pensions Christmas bonus?
To receive the top-up, you will need to be claiming one of the following benefits.
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 (ESA)
Disability living allowance (DLA)
Incapacity benefit at the long-term rate
Mobility supplement
Pension Credit – the guarantee element
Personal independence payment (PIP)
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, widow’s pension, industrial death benefit (for widows or widowers)
