MILLIONS of households claiming Universal Credit and other benefits are set for a cash boost before Christmas.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is handing out a Christmas bonus to eligible claimants.
The money is paid to eligible households to help provide extra financial support over the holiday period.
The bonus is only worth £10 – but could still cover the cost of a few items.
The benefit was first introduced in the 1970s and has not increased in value since.
But to get the money you need to be claiming benefits before the qualifying week, which is typically the first week of December.
The full list of benefits which make you eligible for the bonus include:
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 PensionAnyone who is eligible to claim the bonus does not need to apply and will be paid automatically.
If you are not sure if you have received the payment before, check on your bank statements for a code which says “DWP XB”.
If you think that you qualify but don’t receive the payment automatically you should contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Centre.
The free cash will be sent to qualifying households during the first full week of December.
This year, December 1 lands on a Monday so you should get the payment within the first seven days of the month.
What other support is available?
The run up to the festive season can be expensive, but there is plenty of other support available to households who may be struggling.
For example, the Warm Home Discount is paid to millions of low-income households each winter to help with increased heating costs.
The payment is worth £150, but it is not paid into your bank account; instead, your electricity supplier will apply the discount to your bill.
Cold Weather Payments is a also a type of support set up by the DWP to help with energy costs when temperatures drop.
To be eligible for the support you must be claiming certain benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and Support for Mortgage Interest.
Temperatures also must hit zero degrees Celsius or below over 7 consecutive days for the sum to be paid out.
You do not need to apply for the scheme as the money will be paid into anyone who qualifies account within 14 days.
If you meet the requirements, you will receive £25 for each seven day period of incredibly cold weather.
You can also get support through the Household Support Fund.
The £742million Household Support Fund has been shared between all councils in England.
Eligibility criteria varies based on where you live but usually help is offered to those on benefits or a low income.
But households have received help worth up to £500 to help cover rising bills.
4 ways to keep your energy bills low
Laura Court-Jones, Small Business Editor at Bionic shared her tips.
1. Turn your heating down by one degree
You probably won’t even notice this tiny temperature difference, but what you will notice is a saving on your energy bills as a result. Just taking your thermostat down a notch is a quick way to start saving fast. This one small action only takes seconds to carry out and could potentially slash your heating bills by £171.70.
2. Switch appliances and lights off
It sounds simple, but fully turning off appliances and lights that are not in use can reduce your energy bills, especially in winter. Turning off lights and appliances when they are not in use, can save you up to £20 a year on your energy bills
3. Install a smart meter
Smart meters are a great way to keep control over your energy use, largely because they allow you to see where and when your gas and electricity is being used.
4. Consider switching energy supplier
No matter how happy you are with your current energy supplier, they may not be providing you with the best deals, especially if you’ve let a fixed-rate contract expire without arranging a new one. If you haven’t browsed any alternative tariffs lately, then you may not be aware that there are better options out there.
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