Nearly 24 million individuals throughout the United Kingdom are presently receiving at least one benefit from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). This number encompasses pensioners collecting State Pension funds, as well as individuals receiving Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment (PIP).
Nevertheless, a significant portion of these recipients, including those newly qualifying for the State Pension or individuals obtaining disability benefits, might not be informed about an annual incentive provided to specific claimants before the Christmas period.
The DWP’s ‘Christmas Bonus’ is a one-time, tax-free disbursement granted to individuals receiving particular benefits. Typically, this bonus is disbursed automatically before January 1, 2026.
The government allocates a £10 bonus to 24 different beneficiaries who usually receive it automatically before Christmas, provided they fulfill the qualifying criteria during a specific period, usually the first full week of December.
It is crucial to highlight that this bonus will be issued as a separate payment, distinct from your regular State Pension or benefit disbursement, potentially arriving on a different date, as reported by the Daily Record.
There is no requirement to apply for the additional £10 as it should be directly credited to the account where you usually receive your benefit payments or State Pension. It commonly appears as ‘DWP XB’ on bank statements and online platforms, with the precise code to be confirmed closer to the time.
Introduced by Ted Heath’s Conservative Government in 1972, the £10 Christmas Bonus has remained unchanged for over five decades. Adjusted for inflation using the composite price index from the UK Office for National Statistics (ONS), it would amount to approximately £118 in today’s currency.
To be eligible for the Christmas Bonus, one must be present or ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week of December 1 – 7 (to be confirmed). Eligible claimants will be notified by the DWP regarding the £10 bonus in December, though the notification sometimes arrives after the payment has been processed.
Qualifying benefits necessitate receiving at least one of the specified benefits during the highlighted week. The DWP’s guidance on GOV.UK clarifies that individuals over State Pension age who have not claimed their pension and are not entitled to other qualifying benefits will not receive the Christmas Bonus.
Moreover, if you are part of a married couple, in a civil partnership, or cohabiting and both receive qualifying benefits, each individual will be entitled to a £10 Christmas Bonus payment.
In cases where your partner or civil partner does not receive qualifying benefits, they may still qualify for the Christmas Bonus if specific conditions are met, as detailed in the DWP’s guidelines.
