DWP announces 'bonus' payments for people on benefits but 'no set date it'll arrive'

People who claim a string of benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) will receive a bonus for the festive season at the start of December. There is no set date it will arrive, as the DWP issues £10 cash to help top you up before December 25.

The latest you should receive your payment by is December 31. The DWP advises anyone who has not received their bonus by January 1 to contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your benefit payments or the Pension Service.

You have to be claiming one of the following benefits in the "qualifying week" set by the DWP to get the Christmas bonus: Adult Disability Payment, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Child Disability Payment or Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes).

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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) or Mobility Supplement are also qualifying criteria.

Other qualifying benefits include Pension Credit - the guarantee element, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit) and Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected).

Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes), War Disablement Pension at State Pension age and War Widow’s Pension complete the list alongside Widowed Mother’s Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Widow’s Pension.

Those who have not claimed their state pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits will not get a Christmas Bonus. Those who are married, in a civil partnership, or living together and who receive one of the qualifying benefits, are each entitled to receive a Christmas Bonus payment, the DWP states.