DWP urged to boost 'miserable' £10 Christmas Bonus - here's who qualifies

The online petition, signed by over 19,270 individuals, is urging the UK Government to adjust the annual £10 Christmas Bonus payment in line with inflation

An online petition, which has garnered over 19,270 signatures, is calling on the UK Government to adjust the annual £10 Christmas Bonus payment in line with inflation. The tax-free £10 payment has been given out to millions of benefit recipients since it was first introduced by Ted Heath's Conservative Government in 1972.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues this payment to those receiving State Pension or certain other benefits such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Attendance Allowance and Carer's Allowance - provided they meet the eligibility criteria during a specific qualifying period, typically the first full week in December. However, it hasn't been adjusted since its introduction over five decades ago and in today's money, it would be worth £165.36 - according to the composite price index published by the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS).

Despite the petition being created nearly a year ago on Change.org by Shona McMahon when the Conservatives were still in power, over 20,000 people have expressed their support for the proposal (at time of writing). Ms McMahon argues: "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 added: "It was shocking to learn that the '£10 Christmas Bonus' has been the same for OVER FIVE DECADES! ! ".

The petition's progress can be tracked on Change.org. The DWP's £10 Christmas Bonus is available to those claiming 22 specific benefits, but 6.7 million Universal Credit claimants are not eligible, according to the Daily Record, reports Belfast Live.

The bonus will be paid separately by the DWP, independent of regular State Pension or benefit payments, and may arrive on a different day. There is no need to apply, as the extra £10 should be automatically deposited into the account where benefits or State Pension are typically received.

It will appear as 'DWP XB' on bank statements and online accounts. To qualify, individuals must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week, expected to be December 2-8, 2024.

The DWP will notify eligible claimants in writing, although this notification may arrive after the payment has been made. Additionally, claimants must receive at least one of the specified benefits during the qualifying week.

However, not everyone of State Pension age will be eligible, as stated in the DWP guidance on GOV. UK: "If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus."

Couples should be aware that, as per DWP guidelines, if both partners in a marriage, civil partnership or cohabitation arrangement receive a qualifying benefit, they will each receive a £10 Christmas Bonus payment.

If one partner doesn't receive a qualifying benefit, they could still be eligible for the Christmas Bonus under certain conditions: Each individual does not need to apply for the Christmas Bonus; it should be paid automatically. More details about the Christmas Bonus can be found by clicking here.