Over 2million set to miss out on DWP Christmas bonus – check everyone must make now to get payment coming in weeks

MILLIONS of households could miss out on the Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) 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.

Those receiving one of 20 other benefits will also be eligible for the £10 payment.

That’s as long as they’re still claiming the benefits during the qualifying week for the bonus.

This is usually the first whole week of December, which is December 1 – December 8 this year.

However, 2.4million households eligible for benefits qualifying for the Christmas Bonus are not claiming them.

Some households could be up to £4,727 a year by just claiming an entitled benefit.

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

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.

Over 2.3million households will miss out on this year’s Christmas bonus unless they put in a claim for attendance allowance, carer’s allowance or pension credit – if they aren’t receiving any state pension.

Around 1.1million people in the UK living with a disability are missing out on £5.2billion worth of attendance allowance payments.

Those living with less severe disabilities can get up to £72.65 a week, which works out at £290 a month.

You may be eligible for this if you require help or constant supervision during the day or at night.

The higher rate of £108.55 a week is given to those who require supervision throughout both day and night, or if a medical professional has said you’re nearing the end of life.

This works out as £434.20 a month or £5,644 a year.

To apply, visit gov.uk/attendance-allowance/how-to-claim.

Nearly £2.3billion worth of carer’s allowance is going unclaimed each financial year, with around 530,000 full-time, low paid carers missing out.

Carer’s allowance is a UK benefit designed to help people who have caring responsibilities for more than 35 hours each week.

Those eligible get £81.90 a week paid directly into bank accounts.

To qualify, the person you care for must already get one of these benefits:

• Personal independence payment (PIP) – daily living component
• Disability living allowance – the middle or highest care rate
• Attendance allowance
• Constant attendance allowance at or above the normal maximum rate with an Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
• Constant attendance allowance at the basic (full day) rate with a war disablement pension
• Armed forces independence payment

You can apply for the carer’s allowance online by visiting www.gov.uk/carers-allowance/how-to-claim.

The latest Department for Work and Pension (DWP) statistics reveal that up to 760,000 families entitled to pension credit did not claim it during the financial year ending in 2023.

Pension credit, a means-tested benefit designed to top up the income of the poorest pensioners, is becoming increasingly important as it is now linked to other crucial support.

In particular, those claiming pension credit are eligible for the winter fuel payment, which has become more restrictive following recent government changes.

The benefit goes to those who’ve reached state pension age, which is currently 66, whose weekly income is less than £201.05 if you’re single, or £306.85 for couples.

Those who have a higher income may still be eligible if they have a higher income but have others costs like housing, a disability, or even savings.

Claiming pension credit can also unlock extra help, including, a free TV licence if you’re over 75, help with council tax and support with household costs such as ground rent.

To claim, visit gov.uk/pension-credit/how-to-claim.

How is the Christmas bonus paid?

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.