PIP Claimants Set to Receive Extra Payment in Their Bank Accounts

Personal Independence Payments (PIP) claimants are set to receive an additional payment before the winter season.

PIP Claimants Set to Receive Bonus Payment

Over three million claimants are expected to receive payments directly into their bank accounts. Recipients have been advised not to worry about the source of the money, as it may not be immediately clear where the funds are coming from.

The payment represents a £10 cash provided by the DWP as a Christmas Bonus. It is distributed every year in December to persons receiving particular benefits to give them a slight boost over the holiday season, reports BirminghamLive.

Who Qualifies for The Christmas Bonus

To be eligible for the Christmas Bonus, people must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the predicted qualifying week of December 2 to 8, 2024. More information about the actual qualifying week will be announced later this year.

Apart from PIP, claimants must be receiving at least one qualifying benefit during the designated week. These include:

• Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer Support Payment (Scotland only)
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Disability Payment (Scotland only)
• Constant Attendance Allowance (under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (after the first 13 weeks)
• Disability Living Allowance
• Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
• Incapacity Benefit (long-term rate)
• Mobility Supplement
• Pension Credit (guarantee element)
• Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (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

The payment is designed to provide additional assistance during the pricey Christmas season, but critics claim it makes little difference and should be adjusted according to rising inflation over time. It also comes at a critical time, during a major debate over the elimination of Winter Fuel Payments for millions of retirees.

The Government provides some clarity about the Christmas Bonus, stating that it is a “one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas.” This bonus is given to individuals who receive certain benefits during what is known as the ‘qualifying week,’ typically defined as the first full week of December.

The Government adds that “you do not need to claim,” as the payment should be processed automatically. However, to be eligible for the payment, individuals must receive at least one of the qualifying benefits during this specific period in December.