With the festive season fast approaching, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is once again providing a small but welcome boost to millions of people across the UK: the £10 Christmas Bonus. This tax-free, one-off payment is made every year to help ease financial pressures in the run-up to Christmas—but only for those who receive specific benefits.
So, who qualifies? When will you get it? And what do you need to do (if anything) to make sure the bonus lands in your account? Here’s everything you need to know.
Bonus
The Christmas Bonus is a £10 tax-free payment that the DWP pays to eligible benefit claimants every December. While the amount hasn’t increased in decades, it’s still a symbolic and helpful seasonal gesture for those on lower incomes.
There’s no need to apply. The payment is made automatically and will appear in your bank account with the reference ‘DWP XB’ or just ‘XB’.
Window
So, when exactly will the payment arrive?
The DWP typically starts sending out the Christmas Bonus in the first full week of December. For 2025, that means the qualifying week is expected to be December 1–7, 2025.
Once you’re confirmed eligible during that week, the bonus is usually paid shortly after, before mid-December. While no specific payment date is guaranteed, most people will see it land by the second or third week of December.
Benefits
To qualify for the bonus, you must receive at least one of the following benefits during the qualifying week and be living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar.
Here’s the full list of eligible benefits:
| Qualifying Benefits |
|---|
| Adult Disability Payment |
| Armed Forces Independence Payment |
| Attendance Allowance |
| Carer’s Allowance |
| Carer Support Payment |
| Child Disability Payment |
| Constant Attendance Allowance |
| Contribution-based ESA (after 13 weeks) |
| Disability Living Allowance (DLA) |
| Incapacity Benefit (long-term rate) |
| Industrial Death Benefit |
| Mobility Supplement |
| Pension Age Disability Payment |
| Pension Credit (Guarantee Element) |
| Personal Independence Payment (PIP) |
| Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance |
| Severe Disablement Allowance |
| State Pension |
| Unemployability Supplement or Allowance |
| War Disablement Pension (State Pension age) |
| War Widow’s Pension |
| Widowed Mother’s Allowance |
| Widowed Parent’s Allowance |
| Widow’s Pension |
Note: If you’re receiving Universal Credit alone, you won’t qualify for the bonus unless you’re also getting one of the benefits listed above.
Couples
If you live with a partner or spouse and both of you receive a qualifying benefit, you will each receive a separate £10 bonus.
Even if your partner doesn’t receive any of the listed benefits, they may still be eligible if:
- You are both over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week
- You are living together, married, or in a civil partnership
- One of you is receiving a qualifying benefit and the other is financially dependent on them
So even in mixed situations, there’s still a chance both of you might receive the bonus.
Exceptions
You won’t receive a Christmas Bonus if:
- You haven’t claimed your State Pension or any qualifying benefit
- You only receive Universal Credit
- You live outside the UK in a country that doesn’t qualify under the rules
Also, if you mistakenly receive more than one bonus (e.g., under different benefits), the DWP asks that you contact your local Jobcentre Plus or Pension Service to report it.
Recap
Here’s a quick overview of the key points:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Bonus Amount | £10 (tax-free) |
| Payment Reference | DWP XB or XB |
| Payment Method | Automatic – no application needed |
| Payment Date | Early to mid-December 2025 |
| Qualifying Week | December 1 to 7, 2025 (estimated) |
| Residence Requirement | UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar |
| Universal Credit Only? | Not eligible unless receiving another benefit |
| Married or Partners? | Both may qualify if one is eligible and over State Pension age |
FAQs
When will the Christmas Bonus be paid?
Payments usually start early December and arrive by mid-month.
Do I need to apply for the bonus?
No, it’s paid automatically if you’re eligible.
Is Universal Credit included?
Only if you’re also receiving another qualifying benefit.
How will the payment appear in my account?
It shows as ‘DWP XB’ or ‘XB’ on your bank statement.
Can my partner also get the bonus?
Yes, if they also receive a qualifying benefit or meet special rules.
