The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has confirmed that millions of people across the UK will receive an extra payment this month. This additional sum is the annual Christmas Bonus, a fixed payment designed to offer a small financial lift during the expensive festive period.
Who Qualifies for the Extra £10 Payment?
The Christmas Bonus is targeted at individuals receiving specific state benefits. Those who qualify include claimants of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA). Many state pensioners will also receive the payment automatically.
This £10 sum represents a second payment from the DWP in December, arriving on top of a claimant's regular scheduled benefit money. The government has stated the payment is intended to help some of the most vulnerable households manage the seasonal rise in the cost of living.
What You Need to Know About Payment Timing
The DWP has confirmed the bonus will be paid during December 2025, well in advance of Christmas Day. Payments are being processed now and will continue to enter bank accounts over the next couple of weeks.
There is no need to apply for the Christmas Bonus. The payment is made automatically to everyone who meets the eligibility criteria on a specific qualifying date. Recipients are advised to monitor their bank accounts closely to confirm when the extra £10 has arrived.
Calls for Increase Amid Cost of Living Pressures
Despite its stated purpose, the bonus has been frozen at £10 for many years. Charities and campaigners have repeatedly called on the government to increase the amount, arguing that its value has been severely eroded by inflation and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
However, officials have consistently refused to raise the payment. For eligible claimants, the arrival of this extra cash, however modest, still provides a timely second financial injection for the month, ensuring some additional support reaches financially challenged homes before the holidays.
