Money

Millions on state pension to get bonus payment before Christmas --[Reported by Umva mag]

MILLIONS on the state pension are in line for a festive cash boost this winter. The Government pays out a tax-free “Christmas Bonus” to millions on benefits each year including state pensioners. GettyMillions on the state pension will receive a £10 Christmas Bonus this year[/caption] The one-off payment is worth £10 and usually transferred into your bank account just before December 25. The bonus is designed to cover additional costs associated with Christmas and was first introduced in 1972. The extra cash might not be a lot, but every little helps with the typical energy bill to rise from £1,568 a year to £1,717 a year from October 1 – a £149 increase – when Ofgem‘s new price cap comes into effect. One key thing to note about the £10 Christmas Bonus is that it won’t impact any other benefits you are receiving, like Pension Credit. Here is everything you need to know about the payment, how to claim it and who else qualifies beyond state pensioners. Who is eligible and how to claim Anyone who is receiving a state pension in what is known as the “qualifying week” should get the £10 payment. The qualifying week is usually the first full week of December, which this year is December 1 – December 8. You’ll also need to live, 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 not currently claiming it, for example if you deferred it, you won’t get the bonus. If you’re eligible for the payment, you won’t have to make a claim and just have to sit tight and wait as it is paid automatically. It is paid into the same account where you normally receive your pension payments. But still keep an eye on your account over December to make sure you’ve received it. The payment should show up in your bank statement as “DWP XB”. If you think you qualify but don’t receive a payment automatically, you should contact your local Pension Centre. You can find your nearest centre, including its phone number and address, by going on the Government’s website. Who else is eligible for the bonus? You will qualify for the Christmas Bonus if you receive at least one of the following benefits in the qualifying week: Adult Disability Payment 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) 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 won’t receive the Christmas Bonus if you are just on Universal Credit. Other help for pensioners this Christmas Hundreds of thousands of state pensioners will qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300. The Government has changed the eligibility criteria for the payment meaning it is now means-tested. That means only those on certain benefits, including Pension Credit, will qualify, but it is still one way for some to get help this winter. If you aren’t already claiming Pension Credit, it is definitely worth checking if you qualify too. As a minimum, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached state pension age. But a major perk of the benefit is that it opens up a raft of other help, including a free TV licence. It will, of course, mean you qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this financial year too. Here are all the perks you could get from the benefit. Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk. Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

Sep 19, 2024 - 18:25

Millions on state pension to get bonus payment before Christmas --[Reported by Umva mag]

MILLIONS on the state pension are in line for a festive cash boost this winter.

The Government pays out a tax-free “Christmas Bonus” to millions on benefits each year including state pensioners.

a man and a woman are looking at a cell phone

Millions on the state pension will receive a £10 Christmas Bonus this year[/caption]

The one-off payment is worth £10 and usually transferred into your bank account just before December 25.

The bonus is designed to cover additional costs associated with Christmas and was first introduced in 1972.

The extra cash might not be a lot, but every little helps with the typical energy bill to rise from £1,568 a year to £1,717 a year from October 1 – a £149 increase – when Ofgem‘s new price cap comes into effect.

One key thing to note about the £10 Christmas Bonus is that it won’t impact any other benefits you are receiving, like Pension Credit.

Here is everything you need to know about the payment, how to claim it and who else qualifies beyond state pensioners.

Who is eligible and how to claim

Anyone who is receiving a state pension in what is known as the “qualifying week” should get the £10 payment.

The qualifying week is usually the first full week of December, which this year is December 1 – December 8.

You’ll also need to live, 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 not currently claiming it, for example if you deferred it, you won’t get the bonus.

If you’re eligible for the payment, you won’t have to make a claim and just have to sit tight and wait as it is paid automatically.

It is paid into the same account where you normally receive your pension payments.

But still keep an eye on your account over December to make sure you’ve received it.

The payment should show up in your bank statement as “DWP XB”.

If you think you qualify but don’t receive a payment automatically, you should contact your local Pension Centre.

You can find your nearest centre, including its phone number and address, by going on the Government’s website.

Who else is eligible for the bonus?

You will qualify for the Christmas Bonus if you receive at least one of the following benefits in the qualifying week:

Adult Disability Payment
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)
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 won’t receive the Christmas Bonus if you are just on Universal Credit.

Other help for pensioners this Christmas

Hundreds of thousands of state pensioners will qualify for a Winter Fuel Payment worth up to £300.

The Government has changed the eligibility criteria for the payment meaning it is now means-tested.

That means only those on certain benefits, including Pension Credit, will qualify, but it is still one way for some to get help this winter.

If you aren’t already claiming Pension Credit, it is definitely worth checking if you qualify too.

As a minimum, you must live in England, Scotland or Wales and have reached state pension age.

But a major perk of the benefit is that it opens up a raft of other help, including a free TV licence.

It will, of course, mean you qualify for the Winter Fuel Payment this financial year too.

Here are all the perks you could get from the benefit.

Do you have a money problem that needs sorting? Get in touch by emailing money-sm@news.co.uk.

Plus, you can join our Sun Money Chats and Tips Facebook group to share your tips and stories

The following news has been carefully analyzed, curated, and compiled by Umva Mag from a diverse range of people, sources, and reputable platforms. Our editorial team strives to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information we provide. By combining insights from multiple perspectives, we aim to offer a well-rounded and comprehensive understanding of the events and stories that shape our world. Umva Mag values transparency, accountability, and journalistic integrity, ensuring that each piece of content is delivered with the utmost professionalism.