Millions of Brits will automatically receive a small Christmas bonus to get them through the holiday season; but not everyone will receive the money at the same time
16:57, 17 Nov 2025
Not all DWP claimants will get the Christmas bonus (stock)(Image: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
Millions of benefit recipients are in line for a bit of extra money from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this December. But not everyone will be getting their stipend from the government, as some benefits are ruled out.
The DWP gives out the Christmas Bonus to those on certain benefits during the qualifying week, typically the first full week of December. This festive windfall is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment, in an attempt to spread the festive cheer in the run-up to the big day.
The extra money will be given automatically to those claiming benefits and will come up as being ‘DWP XB’ in bank statements. However, it’s been under fire for its meagre sum, as the bonus hasn’t seen a rise in decades.
The Christmas bonus is paid by the DWP (stock)(Image: TkKurikawa via Getty Images)
The extra tenner will not affect any other benefits or claims that are being used by those needing extra support. But there are strict rules that must be followed in order to obtain the extra tip.
According to GB News, any claimant wanting to get the £10 bonus must be living in either the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the first week of December. On top of this, claimants must ensure they are receiving support for one of a list of dedicated benefits, ranging from Pension Credit to Disability Living Allowance.
If DWP claimants are living within the European Economic Area (which consists of the EU, plus other European countries such as Switzerland), the rules may differ. As result, those claiming their benefits from abroad are being urged to check the rules to see if they’re eligible.
But, according to Chronicle Live, it’s crucial to understand that not all DWP benefit recipients will be eligible for the bonus. On top of the residency issues, some claimants won’t be entitled to the payment if you are on Universal Credit, as it is not among the list of qualifying benefits.
That means if you’re only on Universal Credit and none of the other listed benefits, you won’t qualify for the bonus. However, if you’re claiming Universal Credit but also receiving one of the other qualifying benefits, you might be eligible.
There’s an additional rule specifically for older individuals. If you haven’t claimed your State Pension and aren’t entitled to any of the other qualifying benefits, you won’t receive a Christmas Bonus.
One notable exception to the list of eligible benefits is Universal Credit, meaning millions will miss out on the bonus (stock)(Image: John Lamb via Getty Images)
If you’re married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting as though you are, and both of you receive one of the qualifying benefits, you’ll each get a Christmas Bonus payment, meaning some households could snap up an extra £20. Even if your partner or civil partner doesn’t receive one of the qualifying benefits, they may still be eligible for the Christmas Bonus if their case falls within the rules.
This is the full list of benefits that will entitle you to the £10 bonus:
- 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 (after the first 13 weeks of the claim, once in the main phase)
- 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
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