Millions of state pensioners are set to receive an extra £10 from the Government this week, deposited straight into their bank accounts.
December is famously tough on the wallet, with households typically spending around £713 more than usual during the festive period which is 29 per cent above a normal month.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is distributing its annual Christmas Bonus throughout this week.
It's a one-off, tax-free payment that goes to anyone receiving certain benefits during the qualifying week, which runs from December 1 to December 7.
State pension claimants are reminded there is no need to apply as the money arrives automatically into their bank or building society accounts.
The Christmas Bonus has stayed at exactly £10 since it was first introduced back in 1972 which is more than five decades without a single permanent increase.
Had the Government kept pace with inflation over the years, recipients would be getting £119.47 today instead.
Recipients should keep an eye out for 'DWP XB' appearing on their bank statements as that is how the payment shows up.
Millions of pensioners will get a £10 Government bonus in their bank accounts this week
|GETTY
Unlike other benefits provided by the DWP and HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), there is nothing pensioners need to do to get their hands on the bonus.
Benefits, pensions and allowances are normally paid directly into accounts, and the Christmas payment works the same way.
It arrives automatically for anyone who qualifies during the designated week, so there's no paperwork or phone calls required.
Simply check your bank account over the coming days and the festive top-up should be there.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS
The money will arrive automatically
|GETTY
Eligibility applies to anyone receiving one of 20 benefits, allowances, or pensions:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- 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 Age Disability Payment
- Pension Credit - the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- 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 payment will come as a welcome boost before the expensive festive season
|GETTY
Those receiving Universal Credit alone must also claim one of the listed benefits to qualify for the bonus.
Eligibility requires residency in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar.
Those who believe they're entitled but have not received payment by January 1 should contact the Jobcentre Plus office or the Pension Service for assistance.