State pension claimants could get 2020 Christmas Bonus from DWP: How much is payment? | Personal Finance | Finance 🎅

From presents to food for all the extended family, the Christmas period can be expensive. On top of that, with the temperatures dropping, many people may be worried about funding the additional outgoings when it comes to their heating bills. However, some people may be able to get a bonus payment during this period – and that includes people who claim the state pension.

Gov.uk explains that this Christmas Bonus payment may show up as “DWP XB” on a person’s bank statement.

Should an individual think they should get the bonus, but haven’t received it, then they are instructed to contact the Jobcentre Plus Office or pension centre that deals with their payments.

Who is eligible for the Christmas Bonus?

In order to get the Christmas Bonus, the eligible person must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, any European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland during the qualifying week.

They must also get at least one of the following benefits during this week.

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This particular week is normally the first full week of December.

Gov.uk details the particular benefits, which are:

Armed Forces Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
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

If a person is part of a married couple, in a civil partnership, or they are living with a partner as though they are, and both people get one of the qualifying benefits, then each person will get a Christmas Bonus payment.

It may be that a partner or civil partner still gets the Christmas Bonus even if they don’t get one of the qualifying benefits.

This is if both the following apply:

Both people are over state pension age by the end of the qualifying week
The partner or civil partner was also present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland during the qualifying week

And either:

The other person is entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for their partner or civil partner
The only qualifying benefit the other person is getting is Pension Credit.

It may be that some people see their pension or benefits payments change this month.

Gov.uk explains that payment dates can differ if it’s due on a bank holiday.

The next bank holidays in England and Wales will fall on Christmas Day and Boxing Day on Wednesday December 25, and then Thursday December 26.

Into 2020, New Year’s Day on January 1, which is on a Wednesday this year, is also a bank holiday.

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