The festive season often brings reassurance and relief for many households across the UK. One such relief is the annual “Christmas Bonus” payment made by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). As we look ahead to Christmastime in 2025, this article will walk you through everything you need to know — from what the bonus is, who qualifies, how to check if you are eligible, and what to do if you think you haven’t received it but should have.
What is the Christmas Bonus?
The Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free payment paid in advance of Christmas to people who receive certain long-term benefits. According to the official government guidance, “The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week.”
It was originally introduced in the early 1970s and has remained the same nominal amount ever since, despite inflation. In effect, it offers a small but meaningful contribution towards additional costs at Christmas — even if it doesn’t stretch far in real terms nowadays.
Latest 2025 Update: What’s Confirmed?
As of the time of writing, the DWP has not announced a change to the amount of the Christmas Bonus for 2025 — it appears set to remain at £10. The government guidance still refers to the payment as “a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas”.
Reports in some media outlets suggest that the payment will be scheduled within the first full week of December 2025. This aligns with the usual pattern of the “qualifying week” (more on this below). Therefore, if you expect to qualify, it’s worth checking your account in early December.
How the Qualifying Week Works
The “qualifying week” is key to whether you’ll receive the bonus. The government’s rules state that to qualify you must:
- Be “present or ordinarily resident” in the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar) during the qualifying week.
- Be in receipt of at least one of a list of specified benefits during that week.
- No application is required: if you qualify, payment should be automatic.
For recent years, the qualifying week has typically been the first full week of December (i.e., Monday to Sunday when December starts). Reports suggest this pattern continues for 2025.
Which Benefits Qualify?
Here is a selection of the benefits that make you eligible for the Christmas Bonus (during the qualifying week you must be getting one of them). This is not every single benefit, but it covers the main ones. Government guidance lists the following as examples:
- State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
- Pension Credit (the Guarantee Credit element)
- Attendance Allowance
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment
- Industrial Injuries/War Pensions benefits (e.g., Constant Attendance Allowance)
- Incapacity Benefit (long-term rate)
- War Widow’s/Widower’s Pensions
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
It’s worth emphasising: if you are on a stand-alone Universal Credit award (and not receiving one of the above listed benefits), you will not qualify purely by virtue of Universal Credit. Media commentary confirms this.
Do You Need to Apply?
No — one of the key features of the Christmas Bonus is that you do not normally have to make a claim if you are eligible. The DWP states: “You do not need to claim – you should get paid automatically.”
However, it’s still wise to check your bank statement and ensure the payment arrived. If you believe you are eligible and haven’t received it by early January, you should contact the Pension Centre or your local Jobcentre to query this.
How & When the Payment Arrives
- The payment is made into the same bank account where you normally receive your qualifying benefit or state pension.
- It appears on your bank statement typically under the reference code “DWP XB” (or similar), which uniquely identifies the Christmas Bonus.
- Payment is scheduled to arrive before Christmas. For 2025, most reporting suggests during the first full week of December.
- Because this is a tax-free payment, it does not affect your eligibility for other benefits.
What to Do If You Think You Should Have Received It but Didn’t
If you were eligible and still have not received the Christmas Bonus by January the following year, here are steps you should follow:
- Check your bank statement carefully for the payment code “DWP XB”.
- Ensure you were receiving one of the qualifying benefits during the qualifying week. If not, you may not qualify.
- Check you were resident or ordinarily resident in the UK during the qualifying week, including the Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar. Residency abroad may invalidate eligibility.
- Contact your local Pension Centre or Jobcentre Plus. You will need your National Insurance number, benefit details and account information.
- Check for any issues such as account closure, changed bank details, or payment being sent to an old account.
It is strongly advised to keep records of your benefit entitlement and bank statements for this purpose.
DWP Home Ownership Rules 2025: Essential Changes for UK Pensioners Explained
Why Has the Bonus Stayed at £10?
You may wonder why the bonus amount remains so modest. The tradition of the payment dates back to the early 1970s when the value represented a more meaningful uplift. According to the Wikipedia article on the topic, the bonus was first introduced via the Pensioners & Family Income Supplement Payments Act 1972.
Because it has not been uprated in line with inflation, its real-value has eroded considerably. One calculation suggests that if it had kept pace with inflation, it might be worth around £119.47 in 2025. Government commentary does not indicate any planned rise for 2025.
Tips for UK Residents Ahead of Christmas 2025
- Make sure your bank details are up to date with the DWP or Pension Service.
- Ensure you are claiming and receiving a qualifying benefit during the first full week of December. If you expect to reach eligibility during that week, check whether your claim has been processed in time.
- Monitor your bank account in early December (and up to January) for the arrival of the payment.
- If payments are delayed or the account is closed, contact the relevant DWP office promptly.
- Remember: the payment is automatic — you don’t need to claim. But you do need to meet the criteria.
- Don’t rely on the £10 payment alone — treat it as a small extra for your festive budgeting, not a major help.
- If you are unsure whether you qualify, use online benefits calculators or speak to a qualified adviser (for instance via Citizens Advice).
Final Thoughts
The Christmas Bonus from the DWP is one of the few automatic uplift payments that comes with the festive season in the UK. While £10 may not appear huge, especially given rising costs of living and inflation, it is nonetheless a tax-free payment made without needing a claim for those who qualify.
For Christmas 2025, the payment is expected again during the first full week of December, assuming the longstanding pattern holds. The key actions for you are: check you are eligible, ensure your qualifying benefit is in place, monitor your account, and act if you don’t receive the payment.