THESE are the benefits that are set to include the one-off Christmas payment.
From state pension, personal independence payment (PIP) and the pension credit, as many as 20 are included – and if you receive one of them, you’ll be in line for the £10 boost.
Thousands of households are in line for the £10 injection[/caption]
It could be a timely boost at an expensive time of year[/caption]
Anyone entitled to the payment doesn’t need to apply – it will be paid automatically.
It also doesn’t affect any other benefits you receive.
You’ll get the £10 if you receive any of these 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
The cash will arrive in the same account you already receive benefit payments.
Keep an eye on your account, though – just to make sure you’ve received it in December.
If you don’t receive the payment but think you qualify, you can contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Care.
Thousands of households on benefits are set to receive the cash boost, paid by the Department for Work and Pensions.
But it has drawn criticism for not being as big a boost as some may hope with the festive season an expensive time of year.
The payment was first introduced in 1972 – and hasn’t risen since.
According to the Bank of England inflation calculator, £10 from 1972 is these days equivalent to £115.11.
David Southgate, policy manager at disability equality charity Scope, said the Christmas bonus feels like a “drop in the ocean”.
He added: “The wider issue is that far too many disabled people who rely on benefits can’t even afford basic essentials like food and heating.
“The government urgently needs to reform our broken welfare system so benefits cover everyone’s essential costs.”
The new government could mean a change to the payment.
Any amendments would likely be announced in the Autumn Budget which is due to take place on October 30.
Dr Steffan Evans, head of policy at charity The Bevan Foundation, previously told The Sun any increase to the bonus would be “hugely appreciated” and urged the government to consider raising the amount.
Are you missing out on benefits?
YOU can use a benefits calculator to help check that you are not missing out on money you are entitled to
Charity Turn2Us’ benefits calculator works out what you could get.
Entitledto’s free calculator determines whether you qualify for various benefits, tax credit and Universal Credit.
MoneySavingExpert.com and charity StepChange both have benefits tools powered by Entitledto’s data.
You can use Policy in Practice’s calculator to determine which benefits you could receive and how much cash you’ll have left over each month after paying for housing costs.
Your exact entitlement will only be clear when you make a claim, but calculators can indicate what you might be eligible for.
