DWP One-Off Christmas Bonus for Pensioners and Benefit Claimants
Here’s some important news for anyone receiving benefits or a State Pension in the UK. Next month, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is set to issue a one-off, tax-free payment to eligible claimants as part of their annual Christmas Bonus. This little festive perk is £10, and while it might sound modest, it’s a gesture that has been in place for over five decades, having been introduced back in 1972 by Ted Heath’s Conservative Government. Interestingly, in today’s money, that £10 would be equivalent to about £118.
This Christmas Bonus is automatic, so nobody needs to apply. Those eligible will see the payment in the account they usually receive their State Pension or other qualifying benefits. It may appear on bank statements as ‘DWP XB’ and could arrive on a different day than regular payments. The key period for eligibility is a specific qualifying week, usually the first full week of December, so it’s essential to be receiving one of the qualifying benefits during that time.
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Around 24 million people in Great Britain currently claim at least one benefit from the DWP. This includes roughly 13 million older people on the State Pension, 5.7 million on Universal Credit, and 3.8 million Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants. However, it’s worth noting that Universal Credit claimants are not eligible for this bonus.
The payment covers 23 different benefits in total, including PIP, Attendance Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Adult or Child Disability Payments in Scotland, and the Pension Age Disability Payment. Even couples or civil partners may each receive £10 if both qualify, and special rules apply if only one partner receives a qualifying benefit.
The DWP will notify claimants about the Christmas Bonus, though the letter sometimes arrives after the money has been paid. To qualify, recipients must be ordinarily resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, EEA countries, or Switzerland during the qualifying week.
So, if you or someone you know is on the State Pension, PIP, or another qualifying benefit, keep an eye out for this small but thoughtful holiday boost. It’s designed to bring a little extra cheer before the new year, and the best part is, you don’t have to lift a finger—just make sure you’re receiving the right benefit at the right time, and the £10 should land safely in your account before January 1, 2026.
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