EXTRA CASH
Millions on six benefits eligible for £300 winter fuel payment to get extra DWP bonus in December
Plus, we've explained when you'll be paid
MILLIONS of households eligible for this year's £300 winter fuel payment will receive another cash bonus from the DWP this winter.
The Department for Work and Pensions will issue all claimants a £10 Christmas bonus in addition to the winter fuel cash.
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The winter fuel payment is now only offered to retirees on Pension Credit or those receiving certain six other means-tested benefits.
To be eligible for this year's payment, you must have an active claim for the benefits mentioned above during the "qualifying week," which runs from 16 to 22 September (this week).
However, a loophole means those who have yet to apply for a qualifying benefit can still become eligible if they act before December 21.
Most households automatically receive the winter fuel payment, including those on pension credit.
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Only individuals claiming the following benefits will be eligible for a winter fuel payment this year:
- Pension credit
- Universal Credit
- Income support
- Income-based jobseeker's allowance (JSA)
- Income-related employment support allowance (ESA)
- Child tax credit
- Working tax credit
Most winter fuel payments are made automatically in November or December.
These households will also qualify for the DWP's Christmas bonus, which will be paid in December.
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That's as long as they're still claiming the benefits during the qualifying week for the bonus.
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This is usually the first whole week of December, which is December 1 - December 8 this year.
Anyone entitled to the payment doesn't need to apply, and it will be paid automatically.
As it's a bonus, it doesn't need to be repaid and won't affect any other benefits you receive.
You'll get it paid into the same account where you usually receive your benefit payments.
But it's worth keeping an eye on your account to ensure you received it in December.
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.
The bonus is designed to cover additional costs associated with Christmas and was first introduced in 1972.
If you do not claim any of the six benefits listed above or find yourself ineligible for the winter fuel payment, you will still qualify for the DWP's Christmas bonus if you're claiming one of 20 benefits.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity works out what you could get.
Entitledto's determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto's data.
You can use to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you'll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
Who else qualifies for the Christmas bonus?
Most people claiming DWP benefits will be entitled to this year's £10 Christmas bonus.
All state pensioners are also eligible, irrespective of their income.
Here's a full list of all the benefits that qualify for the cash boost:
- Armed forces independence payment
- Attendance allowance
- Carer's allowance
- Child disability payment
- Constant attendance allowance
- Contribution-based employment and support allowance
- Disability living allowance
- Incapacity benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial death benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility supplement
- Pension credit - the guarantee element
- Personal independence payment (PIP)
- State pension
- Severe disablement allowance
- Unemployability supplement or allowance
- War disablement pension
- War widow's pension
- Widowed mother's allowance
- Widowed parent's allowance
- Widow's pension
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If you receive Universal Credit as a stand-alone benefit, you must also receive one of the listed benefits to be eligible for the bonus.
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.
HISTORY OF THE XMAS BONUS
THE Christmas bonus was first introduced in 1972.
Initially set at £10, the bonus was intended to help with the additional costs that come with Christmas, such as gifts and festive meals.
Despite inflation and the rising cost of living over the decades, the amount of the Christmas bonus has remained unchanged since its inception.
If the payment had risen in line with inflation, it would now be worth a bumper £114.95 - enough to cover the cost of a big shop for the family.
While the value of £10 has significantly diminished over the years, the Christmas Bonus continues to be a small but welcome addition to many people's incomes during the holiday period.
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