Millions of state pensioners to get cash bonus payment before Christmas this year

Millions of state pensioners will receive a Christmas Bonus from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this winter.

The Government pays out the automatic tax-free "Christmas Bonus" to millions on benefits each year including state pensioners with the cash reaching bank accounts by December 25. The bonus is designed to help cover additional costs associated with Christmas however each year it causes more controversy than the last - as the bonus only sits at £10.

The one-off, tax-free bonus was first introduced as part of the Pensioners’ and Family Income Supplement Payments Act in 1972. The bonus has stayed at £10 since it was introduced five decades ago except in 2008, when it was temporarily increased to £70 to support people during the financial crash.

The extra cash is definitely not a lot to help over the extra costs over 10million pensioners will face after losing the £300 Winter Fuel Payment - however many argue that every little does help.

Is £10 enough to help pensioners this winter? Let us know your thoughts: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

READ MORE: 'I claimed free £200 through little-known scheme - you could be eligible too'

READ MORE: Martin Lewis shares how to get free £175 cash in time for Christmas

To get this year's payment, you will need to be getting the state pension during the qualifying week. The qualifying week is usually the first full week of December, which this year is Monday, December 2 to Sunday, December 8 - however this has yet to be confirmed by the DWP. You'll also need to live, 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

It's important to note that if you are of state pension age but not currently claiming it, for example if you deferred it, you won't get the bonus. Another key thing to note about the £10 Christmas Bonus is that it won't impact any other benefits you are receiving, like Pension Credit.

If you’re part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or living together as such and you both get one of the qualifying benefits, you will each get a Christmas bonus payment. If your partner or civil partner does not get one of the qualifying benefits, they may still get the Christmas bonus if both of the following apply:

• You’re both over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week
• 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

And either:

• You’re entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partner
• The only qualifying benefit you’re getting is Pension Credit

Other benefits which will make you eligible for this year's payment include:

• 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)
• 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

You won't receive the Christmas Bonus if you are just on Universal Credit.

READ MORE: River Island’s cosy faux-fur-lined boots will get you the UGG look for £120 less