MILLIONS of retired Brits are set to get extra cash this Christmas.
Anyone getting the state pension will get a bonus ahead of the festive season to help them through.
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The extra money is tax-free and is paid just before Christmas, boosting bank balances by £10.
The bonus, which also goes to millions of Brits on other benefits too, comes as energy bills and the cost of living are set to soar.
The one-off payment won’t affect any other benefits you get either, like pension credit.
You need to be getting the State Pension in what’s known as the qualifying week to be eligible, which is usually the first week of December.
You’ll also need to live in or be a resident of one of the following countries:
- The UK
- The Channel Islands
- The Isle of Man
- Gibraltar
- Switzerland
- Any European Economic Area (EEA) country
If you are of state-pension age but are not currently claiming it, for instance if you deferred it, then you won’t get the bonus.
How do I claim the Christmas bonus?
You shouldn’t have to do anything to get the Christmas bonus, if you’re eligible to receive it.
If you’re getting the state pension already, it should be paid to you automatically.
You’ll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your pension payments.
It’s worth keeping an eye on your account closer to Christmas though to check that you’ve received it.
You should see it as a payment from DWP XB.
If you think that you qualify and but you don’t receive a payment automatically, contact your Pension Centre.
You can find details on gov.uk, including the phone number and address.
State pension payments could also come early this year – here’s how to check.
What other money can I get this Christmas?
If you were born on or before September 26, 1955 you could get between £100 and £300.
The winter fuel allowance is designed to help cover the cost of energy bills through the winter.
You can read more in our guide here.
Thousands are missing out on extra cash from pension credit each year.
Even if you’re just getting pennies from this benefit it unlocks access to loads more – including a free TV licence if you’re over 75.
Here are all the perks you could get from pension credit.
Who else is eligible for the Christmas bonus?
To get the Christmas bonus you need to get one of the following benefits:
- 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
Pensions will rise by rate of inflation next year as triple lock broken, DWP boss confirms
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