Brits who meet certain criteria will receive a £10 bonus from the DWP this winter ahead of the Christmas season. The payment will be received by people with certain benefits to help with extra Christmas expenses. However, the number has not increased since the 1970s and due to inflation, it has reduced in value by the equivalent of more than £100. Despite this, it is still paid every year to UK households and individuals on benefits.
The payment is made automatically before Christmas, usually in the first full week of December. While many people on benefits receive this annual bonus, not everyone on benefits does. It only applies to certain benefits, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance and State Pension. However, it is not available to people who claim Universal Credit as a standalone benefit. If you think you are eligible and have not received it, you will need to contact the Jobcentre Plus office that handles your payments or the Pension Service.
You are eligible for the payment if you receive any of the following benefits, according to the government:
- 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 (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)
- Disability Living Allowance
- Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
- Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
- 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 (including 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 is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week,” the Government says. “This is normally the first full week of December. You do not need to claim – you should get paid automatically.”
When looking out for the payment in your bank account, it should appear as ‘XB’ or ‘DWP XB’ in your bank statements or transaction history.
Eligible people must be an ‘ordinary resident’ in the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar. Coming up to Christmas, benefits claimants should be aware of the changed payment dates. Most DWP payments due to fall on Christmas Day or Boxing Day will be paid on Christmas Eve.