Millions of people across the UK who receive benefits from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) are being urged to perform a vital check on their bank accounts this Friday. The call to action is to ensure they have not missed out on a special one-off payment that should have arrived before Christmas.
What is the DWP Christmas Bonus Payment?
The payment in question is the annual Christmas Bonus, a tax-free £10 sum paid to those on qualifying benefits. According to guidance from the Labour Party government, this payment is made automatically and is designed to provide a small financial boost during the festive period.
The bonus is typically paid during the first full week of December. It should be deposited directly into the same bank account where individuals receive their regular benefit payments. To help identify it, the transaction will usually appear with the reference ‘XB’ or ‘DWP XB’.
What to Do If You Haven't Been Paid
If you believe you are eligible but have not seen the £10 payment in your account as of New Year's Day, 1 January, the DWP advises taking immediate action. You should contact either Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service on Friday, 2 January.
These services will be able to investigate your claim, confirm your eligibility, and advise on the next steps to secure the payment. It is important not to delay, as acting promptly can help resolve any issues.
Who is Eligible for the £10 Payment?
Eligibility for the Christmas Bonus is contingent on receiving one of a specific list of benefits during the qualifying week in early December. Furthermore, claimants must be ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar.
The extensive list of qualifying benefits includes:
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Pension Credit
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult Disability Payment
- Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (after the initial 13-week period)
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Industrial Death Benefit
- War Widow’s or War Widower’s Pension
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Mobility Supplement
For couples who are married, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting under certain conditions, both individuals will receive the £10 payment if they each get a qualifying benefit.
Background on This Year's Payment Schedule
The reminder about the Christmas Bonus follows a slight shift in the DWP's usual payment schedule due to the bank holidays. This year, the majority of DWP payments that were due on Christmas Day (25 December) or Boxing Day (26 December) were issued early, on Christmas Eve (24 December).
While the Christmas Bonus is separate from regular benefit payments, the altered schedule highlights the importance of keeping a close eye on bank statements during the holiday period to ensure all expected funds are received.
Beneficiaries are strongly encouraged to take a moment this Friday to verify their accounts and reach out to the relevant DWP service if the £10 Christmas Bonus is absent.
