There are a couple of DWP changes over the coming weeks
Many people who claim benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ) will see their payment dates move in the coming weeks. DWP cash is usually paid straight into a nominated bank, building society or building account, on a regular basis.
Most often, the money is paid once a month, every four weeks, or every two weeks, depending on which benefit(s) you claim. However, the date changes if your usually day falls on a bank holiday. And next month, there’ll be two of these.
Should your benefit payment/s be scheduled to arrive on December 25 or December 26, they will probably be paid earlier – due to these dates being Christmas Day and Boxing Day, respectively. And this isn’t the only DWP alteration for December, as millions of people will also witness additional cash landing in their accounts next month, too.
DWP distributes a one-off Christmas bonus to people who are receiving certain benefits in what’s termed the “qualifying week”, typically the first full week of December. DWP guidance states: “You do not need to claim – you should get paid automatically.”
The money will not impact any other benefits you receive, and will be deposited into your usual account. It may appear as DWP XB on your statement.
To receive the bonus you must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK during the qualifying week (normally the first week of December). During this time period you must also be in receipt of at least one of these DWP benefits:
- 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
DWP advice continues: “If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus.”
