Millions of individuals who receive specific benefits are set to get an extra payment shortly.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) issues a £10 Christmas bonus annually, typically disbursed in the initial week of December, although it may extend into January.
Automatically granted to beneficiaries of certain benefits like Attendance Allowance, Pension Credit, and Personal Independence Payment, the bonus is accessible to those receiving the benefits during the specified “qualifying week,” usually the first week of December.
To qualify for the Christmas bonus, individuals must be present or considered “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. Married couples, civil partners, or cohabiting partners claiming benefits may each receive the bonus.
Identified as “DWP XB” on bank statements, the payment is tax-free and has no impact on other benefits. Even if one partner does not receive the qualifying benefits, they may still be eligible for the bonus under certain conditions.
Introduced by the DWP in 1972, the Christmas bonus has faced criticism for its stagnant value since inception. While briefly raised to £70 in 2008 amid the financial crisis, it reverted to £10 the following year.