XMAS BOOST
Millions of grandparents with a state pension to get Christmas bonus in DAYS – check exact code to keep an eye out for
Scroll to find out if you're eligible and how to claim
MILLIONS of grandparents with a state pension will receive a Christmas bonus in a few days' time.
The cash, which is courtesy of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), could be paid from the first week of December, according to the usual schedule.
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For those eligible, the bonus of £10 will be transferred automatically into the account where pension payments are normally received - without the need to make a claim.
It is tax free and usually comes through by December 25 at the latest.
If you're sure whether you have received the payment before, check your bank statements for the code "DWP XB".
All state pensioners are eligible, irrespective of their income, as well as those claiming DWP benefits.
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There is a further list of 20 other benefits that, if you claim them, mean you will qualify for the bonus.
That's as long as they're still claiming the benefits during the qualifying week for the bonus.
This is usually the first whole week of December, which is December 1 - December 8 this year.
Who exactly is eligible for the Christmas bonus?
You'll need to live in, or be a resident of, one of the following countries:
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- The UK
- The Channel Islands
- The Isle of Man
- Gibraltar
- Switzerland
- Any European Economic Area (EEA) country
You'll also need to either be on a state pension or receive at least one of the following benefits in the qualifying week to be in line for the tax-free cash:
Cash for Care
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit - the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid 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
You won't receive the £10 Christmas bonus if you are just on Universal Credit.
If you are of state pension age but not currently claiming it, for example if you deferred it, you won't get the bonus.
How do I claim?
If you're eligible for the payment, you won't have to make a claim and just have to sit tight and wait.
You'll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your pension payments.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
But still keep an eye on your account over December to make sure you've received it.
The payment should show up in your bank statement as "DWP XB".
If you think you qualify but don’t receive a payment automatically, you should contact your local Pension Centre.
You can find your nearest centre, including its phone number and address, by going on the Government's website.
State Pension loophole
Your partner may still get the £10 bonus if you are both over the State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week.
One of you will need to be claiming a qualifying benefit, such as Pension Credit.
Both of you will also need to be aged either 66 or above by the start of December.
So, for example, a retired husband may be claiming Pension Credit and his wife is not, but his claim makes them both eligible for the bonus.
However, you will not get the money paid out separately - instead a total of £20 will be paid in one account.
And bear in mind that your partner who is claiming must also be entitled to an increase in their qualifying benefit.
So, for example, you can be entitled to an increase in Pension Credit if you start living with your partner.
The benefit tops up your weekly income to £213 if you’re single or your joint weekly income to £332.95 if you have a partner.
If an increase in benefit is paid for an adult partner that should be shown on the benefit award letters sent out annually, or when the benefit was first claimed.
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It will usually say something like "extra amount paid for your partner" and give a figure.
If the benefit is pension credit the award letter will say something like "amount for you and your partner".
History of the Christmas bonus
The Christmas bonus was first introduced in 1972.
Initially set at £10, the bonus was intended to help with the additional costs that come with Christmas, such as gifts and festive meals.
Despite inflation and the rising cost of living over the decades, the amount of the Christmas bonus has remained unchanged since its inception.
If the payment had risen in line with inflation, it would now be worth a bumper £114.95 - enough to cover the cost of a big shop for the family.
While the value of £10 has significantly diminished over the years, the Christmas Bonus continues to be a small but welcome addition to many people's incomes during the holiday period.
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