Full list of benefits that qualify for Christmas cash bonus – check if you’re eligible

MILLIONS are entitled to a one-off Christmas bonus this year to help them with rising costs.

The bonus is an extra £10 landing in the bank accounts of those who are eligible.

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During the first week of December, many will receive the tenner tax-free.

This could mean that eligible households receive the cash from Monday, December 5.

But we’re waiting for the Department for Work and Pensions to confirm the exact date.

The cash boost will be paid to individuals claiming at least one of the 21 qualifying benefits.

The good news is the DWP have confirmed you won’t need to do anything – the payment will arrive automatically if you’re eligible.

However, to get it you’ll need to get one of the following benefits along with Universal Credit:

• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Disability Payment
• Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
• 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)
• Mobility Supplement
• Pension Credit – the guarantee element
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
• Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
• War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
• War Widow’s Pension
• Widowed Mother’s Allowance
• Widowed Parent’s Allowance
• Widow’s Pension

you must also live in or be a resident of one of the following:

• The UK
• The Channel Islands
• The Isle of Man
• Gibraltar
• Switzerland
• Any European Economic Area (EEA) country

If you’re part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or live together, you’ll both get the cash bonus – as long as you both are eligible.

If you or your partner do not get one of the above qualifying benefits, then they could still get the bonus if they are over the state pension age by the end of the qualifying week.

You’ll need to be claiming one of the above benefits during the first week of December.

How is it paid?

You shouldn’t have to do anything to get the Christmas bonus if you’re eligible.

If you’re getting any of the benefits above, it should be paid to you automatically.

You’ll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your benefit payments.

But it’s worth keeping an eye on your account to see that you’ve received it closer to Christmas.

You should see it as a payment from “DWP XB” on your bank statement.

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

More bill help

Energy suppliers offer support for those who are struggling to pay their bills.

Those on Universal Credit and older legacy benefits could get over £3,000 in bill support.

There are plenty of energy grants and schemes open to help you out if you’re struggling.

British Gas has recently confirmed that it’ll pay its most vulnerable customers grants worth £750 to help with sky-high bills.

Ask your supplier what’s on offer and how to apply, or check here:

There’s also a one-off fuel voucher from your energy supplier if you’re on a prepayment metre.

You can also contact the following if you’re really struggling – help is just around the corner:

This post first appeared on thesun.co.uk