DWP says people with this code on payments will get 'bonus' before Christmas

People who claim Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits have been urged to check their statements for a code which means they're due a bonus payments. The DWP bank statement code means you will get Christmas bonus payment.

The DWP will pay a Christmas bonus of £10 in December to millions of people. The DWP, under the Labour Party government, will pay a Christmas bonus of £10 in December after first being launched in 1972 for people who claim welfare benefits.

If you're entitled to the payment, the Christmas payment may show up as "DWP XB" on your bank statement. The money is paid automatically - meaning you don't need to claim. It is also tax-free and won't affect the benefits you claim.

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People who receive one of the following benefits in the "qualifying week" - which is usually the first full week of December - will get the DWP Christmas bonus:

• Adult Disability Payment
• 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

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.

You must also be entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partner and ensure the only qualifying benefit you’re getting is Pension Credit.