The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced a welcome financial boost for millions of households across the UK, confirming it will issue a special bonus payment in the run-up to Christmas.
What is the DWP Christmas Bonus?
This festive gesture is the one-off, tax-free Christmas Bonus of £10. The payment is designed to provide a small bit of extra support to those receiving certain state benefits during the holiday season. The DWP has confirmed that eligible claimants will see the money arrive in their accounts during December 2025.
The key detail for recipients is the 'qualifying week'. To get the bonus, you must be entitled to one of the qualifying benefits during this specific period. This year, the qualifying week runs from December 1 to December 7, 2025.
Who is Eligible for the Payment?
You will qualify for the £10 payment if, during the first full week of December, you live in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar and receive at least one of the following benefits:
- State Pension
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Adult Disability Payment
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Pension Credit
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (after the first 13 weeks)
- And other qualifying benefits such as Industrial Death Benefit or War Widow’s Pension.
How and When You Will Be Paid
The best part about this DWP payment is that you do not need to apply for it. The process is entirely automatic. If you meet the eligibility criteria, the £10 will be paid directly into the same bank account where you normally receive your benefits.
The payment should appear in the first week of December. When checking your bank statement, look for the transaction reference 'DWP XB'.
It is also important to note that this £10 bonus will not affect any of your other benefits and is completely tax-free.
What to Do If You Don't Receive the Bonus
The DWP states that most eligible people will receive the payment without any issue. However, if you believe you are entitled to the Christmas Bonus but have not received it by the end of the first week of December, you should take action.
In this case, you are advised to contact the Jobcentre Plus office that handles your payments or get in touch with the Pension Service if you are a pensioner.
