Millions on six benefits will be paid 'bonus' payment from DWP for winter

People on DWP benefits are likely to get an extra DWP bonus in December, thanks to a Christmas bonus from the department.

Millions on six benefits are eligible for a £300 Winter Fuel Payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). People on DWP benefits are likely to get an extra DWP bonus in December, thanks to a Christmas bonus from the department.

Under the new Labour Party government, the DWP will issue all claimants a £10 Christmas bonus in addition to the winter fuel cash. The allowance is now only available for claimants who meet specific criteria, after it was scrapped for everybody but the poorest pensioners.

To be eligible for this year's payment, you must have an active claim for the benefits mentioned above during the "qualifying week". The qualifying benefits are Pension Credit and Universal Credit as well as Income support, Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA), Income-related employment support allowance (ESA) and Child tax credit and Working tax credit.

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These households will also qualify for the DWP's Christmas bonus, which will be paid in December. But those claiming universal credit as a standalone benefit are not eligible, it has been warned under the DWP eligibility and criteria section.

If you are married or live with a partner and are both receiving one of the benefits listed above, you’ll both be eligible for the Christmas bonus. Although it isn’t a huge amount, it is tax free, won’t affect any benefit payments you currently receive and will hopefully help a little towards the additional costs that come with the festive season.

You don’t need to apply for the Christmas bonus. It will be paid automatically into the same account you receive the eligible benefit, but this may be on a different date to your usual benefit payment. The payment should appear on your bank statement as "DWP XB".

If you think you qualify but don't receive the payment automatically, contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Centre.