A Christmas ‘bonus’ sent out to pensioners to help with extra costs during the festive season has been criticized as “meaningless” by campaigners. The bonus, known as the benefits Christmas bonus, is paid to households receiving one of 21 benefits. All state pensioners are eligible for the bonus as long as they have an active claim for certain benefits. However, campaigners argue that the value of the bonus has been eroded over time by inflation, and more substantial support is needed for pensioners, especially after cuts to winter fuel payments. Former pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann suggested that the bonus should be increased to £200 and be integrated into the state pension to avoid political gimmicks.
To claim the Christmas bonus, eligible pensioners do not need to make a formal application. The payment will be automatically deposited into the same account where they receive their pension payments. Pensioners should monitor their account in December to ensure they receive the bonus, which will appear as “DWP XB” on their bank statement. In case the payment is not received, individuals can contact their local Pension Centre for assistance. Additionally, if both partners are over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week and one of them claims a qualifying benefit, they could be entitled to a combined bonus of £20.
Various online benefits calculators are available to help pensioners determine their entitlement to different benefits. These calculators can assist individuals in assessing their eligibility for benefits, tax credits, and Universal Credit. Some of the calculators can also provide an estimate of the benefits one might receive, although the exact entitlement can only be confirmed upon making a formal claim. Overall, the Christmas bonus for pensioners is seen as insufficient by campaigners who advocate for increased support to help pensioners cope with rising living costs and inflation.
The decision to send out a Christmas ‘bonus’ to pensioners has been met with disappointment from campaigners who argue that the payment is insignificant in the face of increasing living costs. While the Christmas bonus is automatically issued to eligible pensioners, it has been criticized for its diminishing value over time due to inflation. Former pensions minister Baroness Ros Altmann has suggested that the bonus should be increased and integrated into the state pension system to provide more substantial support to pensioners. Additionally, couples where both partners are over the State Pension age and one claims a qualifying benefit may be entitled to a combined bonus of £20.
Pensioners can access various online benefits calculators to determine their entitlement to different benefits, tax credits, and Universal Credit. These calculators help individuals assess their eligibility for financial support and can provide estimates of potential benefits. However, campaigners continue to call for more comprehensive support for pensioners in light of rising living costs and inflation. The Christmas bonus for pensioners, while automatically issued to eligible recipients, is viewed as inadequate in providing significant assistance during the festive season. With concerns about the erosion of the bonus’s value over time, there is ongoing advocacy for increased support and better integration of benefits to address the financial needs of pensioners.
