Automatic DWP bonus payment coming for millions of state pensioners

A special bonus payment will soon be dropping into the bank accounts of million of state pensioners. Older people, as well as others on certain benefits, are being put on alert over the payment which will be arriving during December.

It's called the Christmas Bonus and is paid out by the DWP to provide some help over the expensive festive period. State pensioners are among those who get the Christmas boost.

Others include those who get Attendance Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Disability Living Allowance. The Christmas Bonus is worth £10 and will be paid to these people just before Christmas, as long as they are receiving a qualifying benefit during the first full week of December.

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Those who qualify will get the money automatically and do not need to apply. While the Christmas Bonus is a free payment, there has been criticism that its low value makes hardly any difference to most people who receive it, particularly as the amount hasn't changed in years despite increases to inflation meaning it is worth less these days. A petition has been launched for the bonus to be raised to £130, and signed by over 20,000 people.

The Government says of the Bonus: "The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December. You do not need to claim - you should get paid automatically.

"All benefits, pensions and allowances are normally paid into an account, such as your bank account. It may show up as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement."