While the Christmas season brings lots to celebrate and look forward to, it can be an expensive time of year for many families.
To help with the additional costs many of us face at this time of year, the DWP is once again issuing a Christmas bonus to people in receipt of certain benefits.
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Key points
What it is – the Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help with festive expenses. It doesn’t affect any existing benefit payments.
Who is eligible – you must live in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar and receive at least one qualifying benefit, such as the State Pension, PIP, Attendance Allowance, or Carer’s Allowance.
When it’s paid – the payment will be made automatically between 1-5 December 2025 into the same account where your usual benefits are paid.
If you don’t receive it – if the bonus doesn’t arrive, contact Jobcentre Plus (for most benefits) or the Pension Service on 0800 731 0469. it will appear on bank statements as DWP XB.
Who is eligible?
To be eligible for the Christmas bonus, you will need to be a resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar and be in receipt one of the following benefits during the qualifying week:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Credit – guarantee element
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- State Pension
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
- War Disablement Pension at State Pension Age
- War Widow’s Pension
- Widowed Mother’s Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Widow’s Pension
If you receive Universal Credit as a stand-alone benefit, you will also need to be in receipt of one of the listed payments to be eligible for the bonus.
If you are married or live with a partner and are both receiving one of the benefits listed above, you’ll both be eligible for the Christmas bonus.
How much is the Christmas bonus?
The Christmas bonus is a one-off payment of £10. Although it isn’t a huge amount, it is tax free, won’t affect any benefit payments you currently receive and will hopefully help a little towards the additional costs that come with the festive season.
When will the Christmas bonus be paid?
The Christmas bonus is expected to be paid during the first week of December. In 2025, this will be 1-5 December.
You don’t need to apply for the Christmas bonus. It will be paid automatically into the same account you receive the eligible benefit, but this may be on a different date to your usual benefit payment.
What to do if you haven’t received your payment
If you haven’t yet received your payment, you can contact either:
- The Jobcentre Plus office which usually handles your benefits payments
Or
- The Pension Service – phone number: 0800 731 0469
Your payment will appear on your bank statement as ‘DWP XB’ so please double check before you contact either of the above services.
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