Thousands of DWP benefit claimants are set to receive a tax free bonus before Christmas.
The additional £10 payment will land in accounts from Monday and will not affect any other benefits you receive.
The boost is typically paid to people in the first full week of December and will appear as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statements.
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The DWP will contact eligible claimants to advise they will be receiving the £10 bonus.
To be eligible for the Christmas boost, you must be living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, any European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland during the qualifying week.
You must also be claiming financial support from at least one of the below schemes:
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Armed Forces Independence Payment
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Attendance Allowance
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Carer’s Allowance
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Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
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Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
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Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
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Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
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Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
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Mobility Supplement
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Pension Credit - the guarantee element
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Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
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State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
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Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
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Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
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War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
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War Widow’s Pension
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Widowed Mother’s Allowance
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Widowed Parent’s Allowance
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Widow’s Pension
If you haven’t claimed your State Pension and aren’t entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits, you won’t get a Christmas Bonus.
Couples who both get one of the qualifying benefits will each receive a Christmas Bonus payment.
If your partner doesn't get one of the qualifying benefits, they could still get an extra payment if:
- You're both over State Pension age by the end of the first full week in December,
- You're both a resident of the qualifying regions by the end of the first full week in December,
- You're entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partner,
- The only qualifying benefit you're getting is Pension Credit.
How do I claim the DWP Christmas bonus?
You don’t need to claim the Christmas Bonus, the DWP will pay it out automatically.
If you think you should get it, but don’t receive it, contact the Jobcentre Plus office or pension centre that deals with your payments.
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