The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to distribute its annual Christmas bonus to millions of individuals on certain benefits. The bonus, valued at £10, is automatically paid, meaning there's no need to apply for it. It's tax-free and won't impact any other benefits you're currently receiving. Typically, the bonus is disbursed to all eligible recipients at the beginning of December, although there's no specific date for its arrival. However, it should be received by 31st December at the latest. If you haven't received your bonus by 1st January, the DWP recommends contacting your local Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. The bonus will appear as "DWP XB" on your bank statement.

To qualify for the Christmas bonus, you must be claiming one of the following benefits during the "qualifying week" determined by the DWP:

• 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)
• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
• 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

To qualify, recipients must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the first full week of December, known as the qualifying week, reports the Mirror. For married couples, civil partnerships, or those living together, both can receive the Christmas bonus if each partner meets the criteria. However, if one partner does not receive one of the specified benefits, they may still be eligible if both partners are over state pension age and "ordinarily resident" within the specified regions—including EEA countries and Switzerland—provided they're entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for their spouse or have Pension Credit as their sole qualifying benefit.

Criticism and Calls for Increase

Despite this provision, the Christmas bonus has been labeled an "insult" by some families, who point out that the bonus has never seen a substantial permanent increase since its introduction. Although it was temporarily raised to £70 in 2008 during the financial crisis, it was subsequently reduced back to the nominal sum of £10 the following year. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially responded to a petition that is urging for an increase to the £10 Christmas Bonus. The DWP is under fresh pressure as calls mount for the Christmas Bonus payment, which benefits millions, to be raised to £165. The petition has garnered the support of over 20,600 signatories who are advocating for the annual bonus to be adjusted in line with inflation. Shona McMahon, the creator of the petition, expressed her concern: "Christmas is THE most expensive time of year! Pensioners, the vulnerable and people like myself, disabled, could do with an extra boost at this time of year, especially as the energy assistance has been axed." She also highlighted the stagnation of the bonus amount: "It was shocking to learn that the '£10 Christmas Bonus' has been the same for OVER FIVE DECADES! ! " In response, a spokesperson for the DWP remarked: "We are taking immediate action to turn around the dire inheritance we face - with more people living in poverty now than 14 years ago." They continued by outlining measures being taken: "This includes extending the Household Support Fund for the most vulnerable, kickstarting work to develop a strategy to reduce child poverty, and taking the first steps towards delivering a genuine living wage for working people."

A Brief History of the Christmas Bonus

The DWP Christmas bonus for benefit claimants is a measly £10 - hardly enough to cover the costs associated with holidays. It is almost insulting to be presented with an amount of money this small - the equivalent of 76p before inflation - when many of us are already living hand to mouth and in constant fear of getting our benefits reassessed or revoked. Disabled and low-income people deserve better. The Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) Christmas bonus will be paid to those receiving certain benefits this December. It's a one-off tax-free £10, and was established by the Pensioners and Family Income Supplement Payments Act 1972 as a one-off payment, which has then been repeated - but not increased. If it had kept up with inflation, that would now be more than £115. But the good news is that people do not need to claim the bonus, it will arrive automatically in the bank accounts of those eligible. To get a Christmas Bonus people must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week, which is usually the first week of December, and receive at least one of the following benefits:

• 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)
• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
• 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

Final Thoughts

The DWP Christmas bonus is a small gesture of support during the festive season. While it may not be enough to cover the rising cost of living, it's still a welcome addition for those who are eligible. Hopefully, the DWP will consider raising the bonus in the future to provide more meaningful support for those in need. The DWP Christmas bonus is a relatively small amount of money, but it can make a difference for people who are struggling to make ends meet. It is important to remember that this bonus is only a small part of a much larger picture. There is a need for greater investment in social security and support for low-income families.