£10 Christmas Bonus

Hi all

Last christmas i received the £10 bonus as i have done for the last few years due to me claiming DLA. I received another letter last week telling me that they were paying £10 into my bank account as i claim ESA. I immediately contacted DWP to advise that i wasnt owed that money at all as i had already received it. I was told they would look into this and i have just had a call back this morning to tell me because i have received it in 2010 that it is not a mistake as it is for this christmas. I am a little worried as i dont have anything in writing to say that i have informed them, i dont want to do anything wrong and i just hope that all calls are recorded. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Am i right in thinking that you only get 1 £10 christmas bonus regardless of what other benefits you receive?

Kind regards
Julie

all calls you make to the DWP are recorded. you get a message saying so when you call.

you will also have the call listed on your itemised phone bill and how long you were on the call/time and date.

Julie wrote:

Hi all

Last christmas i received the £10 bonus as i have done for the last few years due to me claiming DLA. I received another letter last week telling me that they were paying £10 into my bank account as i claim ESA. I immediately contacted DWP to advise that i wasnt owed that money at all as i had already received it. I was told they would look into this and i have just had a call back this morning to tell me because i have received it in 2010 that it is not a mistake as it is for this christmas. I am a little worried as i dont have anything in writing to say that i have informed them, i dont want to do anything wrong and i just hope that all calls are recorded. Has anyone else ever heard of this? Am i right in thinking that you only get 1 £10 christmas bonus regardless of what other benefits you receive?

Kind regards
Julie

Yes, it is correct that you only receive one Christmas bonus, and the bonus for this year will be paid in December and not before this time.

It would be advisable to return the £10 payment with a covering letter if it is paid into your bank account, indicating that the Christmas bonus is not due for payment this year, and that you have received all other CB payments as a result of other qualifying benefits.

Hi

Thank you both for your advice on this and i will write a letter ad enclose a cheque for the £10. I was concerned as i didnt ask for the name of the man i spoke to so i am pleased the calls are recorded. Once again thank you for the quick responses and excellent advice.

Kind regards
Julie