DWP will pay state pensioners who lost £300 Winter Fuel Payment a 'bonus'

DWP will pay state pensioners who lost £300 Winter Fuel Payment a 'bonus'
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The Department for Work and Pensions is paying state pensioners who've lost the £300 Winter Fuel Payment a Christmas "bonus". The £10 payment, known as the benefits Christmas bonus, is typically paid to eligible households in December to help with extra costs during the festive season.

The bonus was first introduced in 1972. Anyone entitled to the payment doesn't need to apply and will have it paid automatically. And as it's a bonus it doesn't need to be repaid and won't affect any other benefits you receive, the DWP states.

If you're getting any of the benefits below, will be paid to you automatically: Armed forces independence payment, Attendance allowance, Carer's allowance, Child disability payment, Constant attendance allowance, Contribution-based employment and support allowance or Disability living allowance.

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Incapacity benefit at the long-term rate, Industrial death benefit (for widows or widowers) and Mobility supplement are also listed alongside Pension credit (guarantee credit), Personal independence payment (PIP), State pension, Severe disablement allowance, Unemployability supplement or allowance and War disablement pension.

War widow's pension, Widowed mother's allowance, Widowed parent's allowance and Widow's pension will also receive the sum of cash, the DWP states. You'll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your benefit payments.

But it's worth keeping an eye on your account to make sure that you received it in December. The DWP adds: "You do not need to claim the Christmas Bonus - you should get it automatically. If you think you should get it, but have not by 1 January, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service."

If you’re part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or living together as if you are and you both get one of the qualifying benefits you’ll each get a Christmas Bonus payment.