Millions to receive DWP Christmas bonus from today

Millions of people will receive a cost of living Christmas bonus from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) from today. The one-off, tax free bonus will be given to everyone receiving one of the 21 qualifying benefits.

The payment is being issued in the first week of December to help with the extra costs and bills during the festive season. There’s no need to apply for the payment as it will be sent out automatically and it won’t impact other benefits in the run up to Christmas.

The £10 cash boost will be paid to those receiving one of 21 benefits, which include Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carer's Allowance the State Pension, LancsLive reports. It was first introduced as part of the Pensioners’ and Family Income Supplement Payments Act in 1972 and if two people in a household are separately claiming benefits, they will receive £10 each.

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The DWP will pay out the bonus for those who live or are "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar if they receive one of the qualifying 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)

DLA

Incapacity benefit at the long-term rate

Industrial death benefit (for widows or widowers)

Mobility supplement

Pension Credit (the guarantee element)

PIP

State