WITH Christmas round the corner, those claiming state pension will be wondering if their payments will be boosted this Christmas.
Millions of families claiming certain benefits will get a £10 bonus to help them get through the festive period – one of the most expensive times of the year.
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The payment is tax-free and you don’t have to pay it back – and it will be a much needed boost for families on a budget.
It comes as families are being battered with hikes on groceries, petrol prices and soaring energy bills this winter.
This cost of living crisis could leave 3.2million households facing a financial crisis, Citizens Advice has warned.
But will households claiming state pension get the extra cash this Christmas? We explain all you need to know.
Will I get a £10 state pension Christmas bonus?
In good news for retired Brits, those claiming state pension will get the £10 Christmas bonus.
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However, in order to be eligible for the payment, you need to be claiming state pension during what is known as the qualifying week.
This is usually the first week of December.
Plus, you’ll need to live in or be a resident in one of the following places:
- The UK
- The Channel Islands
- The Isle of Man
- Gibraltar
- Switzerland
- Any European Economic Area (EEA) country
What happens if I’m part of a couple?
It doesn’t matter if there’s more of one of you claiming state pension in your household – you’ll still get the £10 boost.
That means that if you’re in a married couple, civil partnership or live together, you’ll each get the bonus.
If you’re also claiming other benefits apart from the state pension, the extra cash will still land in your account.
Do I need to do anything?
There’s no need to do anything to get the £10 boost – as long as you’re eligible for it.
You don’t need to apply for it as the cash will automatically be added onto your payment.
If you think you qualify for the money but haven’t got it yet, contact the Pension Service to get this checked out on 0800 731 0469.
When will I get the £10 bonus?
Retired households will start to get their Christmas bonuses from this week.
The government said Christmas bonus payments are usually made in in the first full week of December.
You’ll get the extra tenner at the same time you normally see your state pension payment land in your account.
That means if you’ve been paid by now and haven’t got the boost, its worth contacting the Pension Service on the number above.
Before you do though, give your statement another look – you should see the extra £10 listed as a payment from DWP XB on your bank statement.
Who else gets the £10 boost?
It’s not just those claiming state pension who will get a helping hand this Christmas.
Brits on Universal Credit will also get the boost, and a total of 19 benefits qualify for the extra help – we’ve rounded up the full list here.
It will be good news to Universal Credit claimants who saw their income slashed when the £20-a-week uplift to help through coronavirus came to an end on October 6.
Many claimants are still left struggling despite the taper rate being slashed, meaning Brits can keep more of the money they earn.
Single mum ‘won’t have money to buy kids’ food or school shoes’ after Universal Credit £20 cut
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