Millions of individuals receiving benefits are entitled to a £10 Christmas bonus from the Department for Work and Pensions to help with extra costs during the festive season. All state pensioners are eligible to receive this bonus, regardless of their income. Those receiving one of 21 specific benefits are also eligible for the payment, provided they have an active claim for those benefits during the specified week in December. If you receive Universal Credit as a stand-alone benefit, you must also receive one of the listed benefits to be eligible.
The Christmas bonus was first introduced in 1972 as a £10 payment to assist with additional costs associated with Christmas celebrations. Despite inflation and rising living costs, the bonus amount has remained unchanged over the years. If the payment had increased in line with inflation, it would now be worth around £114.95. The payment is a small but welcome addition to many people’s incomes during the holiday season. To receive the bonus, eligible individuals do not need to apply as it will be automatically paid into the same bank account where they receive their benefit payments.
If individuals are entitled to the Christmas bonus but do not receive it automatically, they are advised to contact their local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Centre. One way to qualify for the bonus is if a household member has just reached state pension age by the end of the qualifying week, and they claim a qualifying benefit like state pension or pension credit. Additionally, one must be aged 66 or above by the start of December. For example, if a retired individual claims pension credit, they and their partner will both be eligible for the bonus, with a total of £20 being paid into one account. To ensure eligibility for the bonus, partners must also be entitled to an increase in their qualifying benefit.
Various benefits calculators are available to help individuals determine if they are missing out on any benefits they are entitled to. These calculators can provide an estimate of what benefits and tax credits one may qualify for based on their individual circumstances. Entitledto, MoneySavingExpert.com, and Policy in Practice are among the organizations that offer benefits calculators to help individuals assess their potential entitlements. Ultimately, the exact entitlement will only be clear when a claim is made, but these calculators can give an indication of the benefits one might be eligible for.
