The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will automatically pay millions of state pensioners and recipients of specific benefits this December. This payment is called the Christmas Bonus.
State Pensioners to Receive Automatic DWP Christmas Bonus Payment this December
By Chourouk Derkaoui
Published on 9 November 2024 15:05
The bank accounts of millions of state pensioners will soon be receiving a special bonus. The payment is scheduled for December, and the elderly and those receiving special benefits are being alerted.
Christmas Bonus for State Pensioners and Benefit Recipients
The DWP pays what is known as the Christmas Bonus to help people during the expensive festive period. Beneficiaries of the Christmas Bonus include state pensioners.
In addition, some people receive Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance. If the individual receives a qualifying benefit in the first full week of December, they will receive the £10 Christmas bonus shortly before Christmas.
There is no need to apply; those eligible will receive the funds instantly. Despite being a free payment, the Christmas bonus has been criticised for being of little value to the majority of recipients, especially as the amount has not changed for years despite inflation increases, making it less valuable today. More than 20,000 people have signed a petition calling for the bonus to be increased to £130.
Calls for an Increased Christmas Bonus
The Government says of the Bonus: “The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December. You do not need to claim—you should get paid automatically.
“All benefits, pensions, and allowances are normally paid into an account, such as your bank account. It may show up as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement.”