Millions claiming DWP benefits including PIP, State Pension and Pension Credit are urged to check if they received their £10 Christmas bonus payment
10:25, 05 Jan 2026Updated 12:06, 05 Jan 2026
The festive payment typically arrives in early December(Image: South Wales Echo)
Millions claiming Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits are being reminded to check if they’ve received their Christmas bonus. The festive payment typically arrives in early December but if yours hasn’t landed by now, you’ll need to get in touch with the office handling your benefits.
According to GOV.UK guidance: “If you think you should get it, but have not by 1 January, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service.” Worth just £10, the Christmas bonus has drawn criticism from Mirror readers who’ve branded it an “insult” amid soaring living costs and inflation.
The sum hasn’t seen a permanent rise since the DWP introduced it back in 1972. There was a temporary boost to £70 in 2008 to help people through the financial crisis, but it dropped back to £10 the year after, reports the Mirror.
To qualify for the Christmas bonus, you must be receiving one of these benefits during the qualifying week:
Adult Disability PaymentArmed Forces Independence PaymentAttendance AllowanceCarer’s AllowanceChild Disability PaymentConstant Attendance Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (once the main phase of the benefit is entered after the first 13 weeks of claim)Disability Living AllowanceIncapacity Benefit at the long-term rateIndustrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowersMobility Supplement Pension Credit – the guarantee elementPersonal Independence Payment (PIP)State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (paid under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)War Disablement Pension at State Pension ageWar Widow’s PensionWidowed Mother’s AllowanceWidowed Parent’s AllowanceWidow’s Pension
The first full week of December is considered the qualifying week. During this time, you must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar.
For most individuals, the payment is made automatically and will appear as ” DWP XB” on your bank statement. This money is tax-free and does not impact any other benefits you may receive.
If you’re part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, both of you could potentially receive the Christmas bonus. Each person needs to be claiming one of the qualifying benefits to be eligible for the Christmas bonus.
Even if one partner doesn’t receive a qualifying benefit, they might still be eligible for the payment, provided they meet both of the following criteria:
You’re both over state pension age by the end of the qualifying weekYour partner or civil partner was also present (or ‘ordinarily resident’) in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland during the qualifying week
And either:
You’re entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partnerThe only qualifying benefit you’re receiving is Pension Credit
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