DWP to hand extra cash boost to recipients of Winter Fuel Payment

The payment is only available to retirees on Pension Credit

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to hand an additional cash boost Brits who are still eligible for this year's winter fuel payment. The annual tax-free payment used to be given to all pensioners but is now only available to retirees on Pension Credit, or those receiving certain six other means-tested benefits.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves blamed the move on a £22 billion black hole in the public finances left by the Tories, which they have denied. The cash will be given to anyone still claiming at least one of the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week for the bonus.

The qualifying week is usually the first whole week of December, which this year is December 1 - December 8. It is paid automatically meaning that there is no need to apply, The Daily Express reports.

READ MORE: The scandalous truth about Birmingham's child poverty emergency laid bare

During the festive month, most people claiming DWP benefits will be entitled to this year's £10 Christmas bonus. All state pensioners are also eligible, irrespective of their income. Universal Credit recipients are only entitled to the bonus if they also receive one of the qualifying benefits.

The payment should appear on bank statements as "DWP XB". If you don't receive the payment automatically and you believe that you should, you will need to contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Centre.

Here's a full list of all the benefits that qualify for the cash boost:

• Armed forces independence payment
• Attendance allowance
• Carer's allowance
• Child disability payment
• Constant attendance allowance
• Contribution-based employment and support allowance
• 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
• Severe disablement allowance
• Unemployability supplement or allowance
• War disablement pension
• War widow's pension
• Widowed mother's allowance
• Widowed parent's allowance
• Widow's pension

Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency

Child poverty is soaring in Birmingham and without urgent change, will only get worse. Having worked with charities and community groups, BirminghamLive is campaigning for the following changes to start to turn the tide:

1. End the two-child benefit cap
2. Provide free school meals to every child in poverty
3. Create a city “aid bank” for baby and child essentials
4. Protect children’s and youth services
5. Create permanent, multi year Household Support Fund and give more Discretionary Housing grants
6. Set up child health and wellbeing hubs in our most deprived neighbourhoods
7. Appoint a Birmingham child poverty tsar
8. Provide free public travel for young people

You can see why in more detail here.

Read our full report Birmingham: A Child Poverty Emergency here.

What you can do to help.