Millions of Brits claiming Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Pension Credit will receive a surprise bonus from the DWP in early December. The annual payment is automatic, but who qualifies, and what should you do if it doesn’t arrive?
DWP Confirms Bonus Payment for Brits on PIP and Pension Credit in Coming Weeks
By Arezki AMIRI
Published on 19 November 2024 19:31
Millions of Brits claiming benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will get an unexpected Christmas bonus of £10 at the beginning of December. Scheduled to provide a small financial boost over the festive period, the annual payment is automatically deposited into the bank accounts of eligible claimants.
Who Will Receive the Bonus?
The payment will benefit over 5 million Britons, including the 3.4 million people receiving Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and the 1.6 million on Pension Credit. Claimants of other qualifying benefits will also receive the bonus, provided they meet the eligibility criteria.
How the Payment Works
- The £10 Christmas bonus is issued automatically to the same bank account used for other benefit payments.
- Payments typically show up during the first week of December, marked with the reference DWP XB.
- The bonus does not affect other benefits and does not need to be repaid.
- If you have not received your payment by January 1, 2024, and believe you are eligible, you should contact the Jobcentre Plus office or Pension Service managing your benefits.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the bonus, you must be receiving one of the following benefits during the qualifying week in early December and be “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, EEA countries, or Switzerland.
Qualifying Benefits Include:
- Carer’s Allowance and Carer Support Payment
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and Disability Living Allowance
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Pension Credit (guarantee element)
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Child Disability Payment and Adult Disability Payment
- Various war pensions and industrial injury-related allowances
Special Cases for Couples
If you are married, in a civil partnership, or living with a partner as if you are, you may both qualify for the bonus individually, provided you each meet the eligibility requirements. If only one partner qualifies, they may still receive a payment if their benefit includes an additional allowance for their partner, or they are receiving Pension Credit.
What to Do if There’s an Issue
Claimants are advised to keep an eye on their bank accounts for the payment during the first week of December. If you receive more than one bonus payment, or have not received it by January 1, contact the relevant Jobcentre Plus office or Pension Service for clarification.