Millions of individuals who claim specific benefits are set to receive an additional payment in the upcoming weeks. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues an annual Christmas bonus of £10, typically distributed in the initial full week of December, with potential delays until January.
To qualify for this payment, individuals must be recipients of benefits like Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, and Personal Independence Payment. Eligibility for the Christmas bonus is automatic for those receiving the aforementioned benefits during the “qualifying week,” usually the initial full week of December.
Applicants must be physically present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying period. Married couples, civil partners, or cohabiting partners may each receive the Christmas bonus if both are benefit claimants.
The payment typically reflects as “DWP XB” on bank statements, is tax-exempt, and does not impact other benefit entitlements. Even if one partner does not receive qualifying benefits, they might still be eligible for the bonus by meeting specific conditions.
The Christmas bonus scheme was introduced by the DWP in 1972. However, there has been criticism over the years for its stagnant value at £10 since inception, except for a brief increase to £70 in 2008 during the financial crisis, which was subsequently reduced back to £10 the following year.
