Nearly 24 million people across the UK who claim at least one benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are set to receive a one-off £10 Christmas Bonus later this year, provided they meet eligibility criteria during a specific qualifying period in December.
The bonus applies to recipients of State Pension, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and 22 other qualifying benefits. However, Universal Credit claimants are not eligible. The payment is automatic and tax-free, requiring no application.
Qualifying Week and Payment Details
The qualifying week for the 2025 Christmas Bonus is expected to be December 7–13 (exact dates to be confirmed). Recipients must be present or 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during that week. The DWP will issue the £10 as a separate payment, independent of regular benefit or pension deposits, and it typically appears on bank statements as 'DWP XB'.
Introduced in 1972 under Ted Heath's Conservative Government, the bonus has never been uprated. Adjusted for inflation using the ONS composite price index, it would be worth approximately £118 today.
Full List of Qualifying Benefits
To receive the bonus, claimants must be in receipt of at least one of the following benefits during the qualifying week:
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer Support Payment (Scotland only)
- Child Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Constant Attendance Allowance (Industrial Injuries or War Pensions)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (main phase)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit (long-term rate)
- Industrial Death Benefit (widows/widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Age Disability Payment (Scotland only)
- Pension Credit (guarantee element)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (Scotland only)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (Industrial Injuries or War Pensions)
- War Disablement Pension (at State Pension age)
- War Widow's Pension
- Widowed Mother's Allowance
- Widowed Parent's Allowance
- Widow's Pension
Special Rules for Couples
If both partners in a married couple, civil partnership, or cohabiting relationship receive a qualifying benefit, each will get the £10 bonus. If only one partner qualifies, the other may still receive the bonus if both are over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week and the non-qualifying partner was resident in the UK, EEA, or Switzerland during that week. Additionally, the qualifying partner must be entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for the non-qualifying partner, or the only qualifying benefit is Pension Credit.
No Action Needed
Claimants do not need to apply for the Christmas Bonus; it is paid automatically into the account where they normally receive their benefit or pension. The DWP may write to eligible claimants to advise them of the payment, though this letter sometimes arrives after the bonus has been deposited.
According to GOV.UK guidance, "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."
