Am I eligible for the Christmas Bonus payment?

The Christmas Bonus is a £10 tax-free payment issued by the DWP (and in the normal way through DfC in Northern Ireland). It’s designed to give a small financial uplift to those who receive certain benefits, helping with expenses over the festive period. 

The UK Christmas Bonus payment will be paid during the qualifying week, which is usually the first full week in December. It’ll be paid to you to your usual payment account, but may be a different day to when you receive your other benefits. It may appear as ​‘DWP XB’ on your bank statement.

You don’t need to apply for the Christmas Bonus as it’ll be automatically paid to you if you’re eligible. 

If you haven’t received your money by 1 January, get in touch with Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service to report a missing payment.

To qualify, you must be a resident in the UK, Channel Island, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying period (normally the first week in December). 

You’ll also need to receive at least one of the benefits listed below: 

• Adult Disability Payment

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Carer Support Payment

• Child Disability Payment

• Constant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)

• Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (after the first thirteen weeks of the claim)

• Disability Living Allowance

• Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate

• Industrial Death Benefit (for widows)

• Mobility Supplement

• Pension Age Disability Payment

• Pension Credit — the guarantee element

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)

• Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)

• State Pension (as well as Graduated Retirement Benefit)

• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)

• War Disablement Pension at State Pension age

• War Widow’s Pension

• Widowed Mother’s Allowance

• Widowed Parent’s Allowance

• Widow’s Pension

The Christmas Bonus first started in 1972 by the UK Government and was £10. It rose once in 2008 to £70 during the financial crash. Since then, it has stayed at £10 and has not risen with inflation. The BBC reported back in 2023 that if the £10 had risen with inflation, it would be worth around £163 today.

You might be thinking a £10 bonus is just a drop in the ocean, so if you’re worried about your finances this winter, we want to help.

When you’re struggling to make ends meet, a small payment may not solve the problem. But you don’t have to face your money worries alone.

At CAP, we offer free, local and professional debt help. We’re here to walk with you every step of the way, offering a listening ear and a practical plan to get out of debt. We also have more helpful resources and services free of charge: