The DWP is under pressure after 20,600 people signed a petition demanding increased Christmas bonuses. The bonus demands an increase of 10 euros to 165 euros because it’s been the same since 1972 for over five decades.
The DWP says they will take immediate action over a 10 euro Christmas bonus to be paid to people on benefits, including state pensioners this year.
Every year since 1972, state pensions hardly enough to cover the costers receive a pension bonus in Christmas, including universal credit, state pensioners, and various other benefits, including PIP.
Although the petition said, “The Christmas bonus was introduced in 1972. Since then, inflation has lowered the cost of pride significantly, yet the 10 euro number remained the same. With inflation taken into account, the bonus should be around 130 euros. We want the government to account for inflation in these payments.”
“The DWP Christmas bonus for benefits claimers is a measly 10 euros, hardly enough to cover the costs associated with holidays. It is almost insulting to be presented with an amount of money this small—the equivalent of 76p before inflammation when many of us are ready to live hand in hand and in constant fear of getting our benefits reassessed or revoked. Disabled and low-income people deserve better.”
In response, the DWP said: “We are taking immediate action to turn around the dire inheritance we face with more people living in poverty now than 14 years ago.”
The payment was increased to 70 euros in 2008 but reduced back to 10 euros in the same year.
The Christmas bonus will automatically be paid into the account of the eligible candidates by 31st December.
The Christmas bonus is a tax-free payment as DWP XB on the Bank Statement and does not affect other benefits.
Candidates must meet the eligibility criteria to get the benefits and claim qualifying benefits during the full week of December, including State Pension, PIP, Disability Living Allowances and Carer’s Allowance.
Claimnist must be living or Racident of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week.
Married couples, civil partners, or those who live together can both get the benefits if they are able to meet all the above criteria.