Millions of grandparents with a state pension to get Christmas bonus

MILLIONS of Brits over a certain age can get extra cash this December.

Anyone receiving the State Pension will get what’s known as a Christmas bonus.

The extra £10 cash is tax-free and usually paid just before Christmas.

The bonus, which also goes to millions of Brits on other benefits too, comes with energy bills and the cost of living soaring.

One thing to note is that the one-off payment won’t affect any other benefits you get either, including pension credit.

Plus, you need to be receiving the State Pension in what’s known as the qualifying week to be eligible.

This is usually the first week of December.

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

How do I claim the Christmas bonus?

If you’re eligible you won’t have to do anything to claim the bonus.

It should be paid to you automatically if you’re already getting the state pension.

You’ll get it paid into the same account where you normally receive your pension payments.

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

The payment should show up as “DWP XB”.

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

You can find details on gov.uk, including the phone number and address.

What other money can I get this Christmas?

If you were born on or before September 25, 1956 you could get between £100 and £300.

The winter fuel allowance is designed to help cover the cost of energy bills through the winter.

You can read more in our guide here.

Thousands are missing out on extra cash from pension credit each year.

Even if you’re just getting pennies from this benefit it unlocks access to loads more – including a free TV licence if you’re over 75.

Here are all the perks you could get from pension credit.

Who else is eligible for the Christmas bonus?

To get the Christmas bonus you need to get one of the following 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