The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is sending a one-off tax-free bonus payment to eligible Brits this Christmas. The money will be paid automatically to people who receive certain benefits in the first full week of December.
The Christmas Bonus is worth £10 and aims to provide a small boost to pensioners and people on lower incomes or disability benefits ahead of the festive season. If you are eligible, you do not need to apply for the money and it will be paid into your account automatically before Christmas. It will show up on your bank statement under the reference "DWP XB".
Bonus frozen since 1972
The bonus has remained frozen at £10 since 1972 and campaigners have criticised the amount. They argue it should have increased with inflation to offer more value to vulnerable households.
The DWP states: "The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December. You do not need to claim - you should get paid automatically."
How to get the payment
The 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."
The DWP continues: "If you’re part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or living together as if you are and you both get one of the qualifying benefits you’ll each get a Christmas Bonus payment."
Who is eligible for the Christmas Bonus?
To get a Christmas Bonus you must be present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week - normally the first full week of December. You must also get at least one of the following benefits:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Pension Credit - the guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
The payment is automatic for those who qualify, and eligible couples can each receive the bonus if both meet the criteria.
