State pensioners who claim Pension Credit set to be handed 'bonus' from DWP

State pensioners who've successfully claimed Pension Credit amid a long-running row over Winter Fuel Payment eligibility are set for a BONUS from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in time for Christmas, it has been confirmed.

A Christmas Bonus is to be paid to someone who is ordinarily resident in the United Kingdom or a member state during the relevant week and entitled to a qualifying benefit in respect of at least one day during the relevant week.

The Christmas Bonus is an annual payment of £10 that has been paid with the State Pension, Pension Credit, and a number of disability benefits which go to working age customers since 1972. It is a tax-free payment and is not taken into account in the income-related benefits.

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The qualifying benefits are listed in section 150(1) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992. These benefits include State Pension, Pension Credit, Incapacity Benefit (long term), Employment and Support Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance, bereavement benefits and war pensions.

To receive the Christmas Bonus a customer must satisfy the residence conditions and receive a qualifying benefit in the relevant week: this is the week beginning with the first Monday in December or such other week as may be specified in an order by the Secretary of State.

If one partner does not receive one of the qualifying benefits, they may still be eligible for the payment, as long as they meet both of the following requirements: you’re both over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week, and your 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 you’re entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partner and the only qualifying benefit you’re getting is Pension Credit.