The extra, tax-free payment, known as the ‘Christmas Bonus’ is a free £10 that usually arrives in bank accounts before December 2
Certain Brits may be eligible for an extra payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) – and its ‘qualifying week’ typically occurs during the first seven days of December. This means your eligibility for cash may mainly depend on the benefits you claim and your financial situation from Monday, December 1, to Sunday, December 7.
The extra, tax-free payment, known as the ‘Christmas Bonus’ is a free £10 that usually arrives in bank accounts before December 25, giving Brits an extra boost for the holiday season. Generally, qualifying Brits will receive this bonus automatically, but you can also check your eligibility for this one-time payment below.
As of 2025, it’s understood that anyone claiming 24 benefits during the qualifying week may be entitled to the Christmas Bonus. Claimants must also be either present or ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week.
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 advice from the DWP summarises: “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.”
The DWP explains that if you are in a married couple, civil partnership, or cohabiting with a partner and both receive a qualifying benefit, each person will get a Christmas Bonus. However, even if your partner or civil partner does not qualify for benefits, they might still be eligible for 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.”
If you are eligible for the Christmas Bonus, it is usually paid directly into your bank account before December 25. This amount is generally deposited into the same account that receives your benefits, pensions, and allowances, and might be listed as ‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement.
If you haven’t received the Christmas Bonus by January 1, the DWP recommends reaching out to either the Pension Service or your local Jobcentre Plus office, depending on who manages your payments.
For more information, you can also visit GOV.UK here.
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