The Department for Work and Pensions has confirmed the full list of people eligible for the Christmas Bonus payment. Millions of people will receive a financial boost from the DWP in December which aims to take the pressure off the festive season.
Eligibility and qualifying week
The annual £10 payment is made before Christmas, but only to those that claim qualifying benefits. Eligibility is strictly determined by whether an individual receives a qualifying benefit during a specific "qualifying week". This crucial week is typically defined by the DWP as the first full week in December.
The Christmas Bonus is paid automatically to those who qualify, meaning recipients do not need to submit any formal application. This streamlines the process and ensures the payment reaches eligible people efficiently.
Payment timing and residency rules
Claimants can generally expect the bonus to arrive in their bank accounts around the beginning of December. However, the DWP does not guarantee a precise or exact payment date for the funds.
To receive the Christmas Bonus, you must be present or be an "ordinarily resident" of the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. You must also get at least one of the following benefits in qualifying week:
- 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
