A one-time payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to be distributed before the New Year to certain qualifying Brits. If you think you are eligible but have not received it by January 1, it is crucial to take action promptly.
The Christmas Bonus, a yearly £10 payment, is automatically transferred into bank accounts to provide specific benefit recipients with additional funds over the festive period. While it’s typically received before December 25, some may receive it slightly later, with the payment often listed as ‘DWP XB’ on bank statements.
As of 2025, anyone who was claiming one or more of 24 benefits during the ‘qualifying week’ is likely eligible for the Christmas Bonus. This period usually spans the first full week of December, which this year was from December 1 to December 7.
According to the DWP, the 24 benefits included in this are:
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- War Widow’s Pension
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- Adult Disability Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Carer Support Payment
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Pension Credit – the guarantee element
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Widow’s Pension
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Attendance Allowance
- Mobility Supplement
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
Official guidance on the UK Government’s website adds: “You do not need to claim the Christmas Bonus – you should get it automatically. If you think you should get it, but have not by 1 January, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service.”
It is important to highlight that couples who are married, in civil partnerships, or cohabiting may both receive a Christmas Bonus if each partner qualifies for eligible benefits. Even when your spouse or civil partner does not meet the benefit requirements, they might still be entitled to a Christmas Bonus.
This applies only if both of the following criteria are met:
- You are 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
One of the following must also apply:
- You are entitled to an increase in a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partner
- The only qualifying benefit you’re getting is Pension Credit
The DWP’s online guidance also adds: “If you have not claimed your State Pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus.”
For more information, please visit GOV.UK here.
