The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has officially announced the details for the annual Christmas Bonus payment, confirming who will receive the one-off support and when.
Who is eligible for the payment?
The Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free payment of £10 designed to provide a small financial boost to vulnerable groups during the festive season. To qualify, individuals must be present in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the 'qualifying week' from December 1 to December 7, 2025.
The payment will be made automatically to those claiming specific benefits. The DWP has stated that everyone who is eligible will receive the money directly into their bank account before Christmas. On bank statements, the transaction will appear as 'DWP XB'.
Full list of qualifying benefits
Eligibility for the Christmas Bonus is linked to receiving one of the following state benefits during the qualifying week:
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- Child Disability Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (after the first 13 weeks)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit
- Mobility Supplement
- Pension Age Disability Payment
- Pension Credit (guarantee element)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- 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
What to do if you don't receive your bonus
The DWP advises that if you believe you meet the eligibility criteria but have not received the payment by the end of the first week of December, you should take action. You need to contact the Jobcentre Plus office that handles your payments or the Pension Service directly to enquire about the missing funds.
This annual payment, while modest, provides a recognised gesture of support for pensioners, disabled individuals, and carers across the country during the Christmas period.
