The DWP Christmas Bonus is a small, tax-free payment made to eligible people every year in December. The bonus is worth £10 and is paid automatically if you get certain benefits. Although the amount has stayed the same for many years, it is still helpful for people on a low income during the busy winter period.
This guide explains the full rules for the Christmas Bonus in 2025 in plain English. It covers who gets it, when it’s paid, how to check you’re eligible, why you may not receive it, what to do if it doesn’t arrive, and other winter help available alongside the bonus.
What is the DWP Christmas Bonus?
The Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free payment of £10. It is paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to people who receive certain qualifying benefits during the first full week of December each year.
You do not need to apply for it. If you are eligible, it should appear automatically in your bank account.
The payment is separate from your normal benefit payment. It normally appears with a code such as “DWP XB” on your bank statement.
Although the bonus is small, it is guaranteed for people who qualify, and it can be combined with other winter support payments.
Who gets the Christmas Bonus in 2025?
You will get the Christmas Bonus if, during the first full week of December 2025, you are living in the UK (or certain approved locations) and receive at least one of the qualifying benefits.
You only need to receive one qualifying benefit to get the bonus. You will not receive more than one bonus even if you receive several eligible benefits.
Qualifying benefits
You are normally eligible if you get any of the following:
- State Pension
- Pension Credit (Guarantee or Savings Credit)
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Carer Support Payment (Scotland)
- Adult Disability Payment (Scotland)
- Child Disability Payment (Scotland)
- Incapacity Benefit (old system)
- Severe Disablement Allowance
- Widowed Parent’s Allowance
- Bereavement Support Payment (if in payment during that week)
- Contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (if paid during that week)
- Contribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
- Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit
- War Pensions and certain Armed Forces compensation payments
Remember: **Universal Credit on its own does not qualify you for the Christmas Bonus**. However, many people on Universal Credit also receive a qualifying disability or pension benefit. If you get one of those, you should still receive the £10 Christmas Bonus.
When is the Christmas Bonus paid in 2025?
The Christmas Bonus is normally paid during the first full week of December.
In 2025, the first full week of December runs from:
Monday 1 December 2025 to Sunday 7 December 2025
This means most people should receive their Christmas Bonus sometime between:
- Monday 1 December 2025 and
- Friday 5 December 2025
Some payments may arrive slightly earlier or later depending on:
- your bank or building society
- the day your main benefit is normally paid
- how early the DWP releases batches of payments
There is no set day for everyone. It is paid automatically as long as you are entitled.
How will the DWP Christmas Bonus appear in my bank account?
The Christmas Bonus normally appears as a separate payment. It will not be added onto your main benefit payment.
You might see one of these references:
- DWP XB
- DWP CHRISTMAS BONUS
- XB
If you get a benefit from Social Security Scotland (such as ADP or CDP), your payment may come with a slightly different reference, but it will still be clearly marked as a one-off bonus.
Do I need to apply for the Christmas Bonus?
No. The DWP and Social Security Scotland make this payment automatically if you qualify.
You do not need to fill in a form. You do not need to contact your jobcentre or benefits office. You do not need to add anything to your claim.
The only times you may need to take action are when:
- your bank details have changed
- you’ve recently moved after switching to a new benefit
- your National Insurance number is not correctly recorded by your benefit office
If you have changed bank account, make sure your benefit provider has the correct details. If they do not, the bonus may fail to arrive.
Why didn’t I get the Christmas Bonus?
If your Christmas Bonus does not arrive by mid-December, there may be a reason. Below are the most common issues and what to do.
Your benefit did not qualify
You will not receive the Christmas Bonus if your only benefit is:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Child Benefit
- Working Tax Credit or Child Tax Credit
- Council Tax Reduction
- Income Support (unless you also get a qualifying disability or pension benefit)
These benefits alone do not entitle you to the Christmas Bonus.
You were not receiving a qualifying benefit during the correct week
You must be receiving the qualifying benefit during the first full week of December. Even if you are awarded a qualifying benefit later in the month, you may not get the bonus for that year.
Issues with bank details
If your bank details changed and the DWP was not told in time, the payment may fail. You may need to contact the relevant benefit department to update your details and request re-payment.
Your benefit award stopped temporarily
Some people move from one benefit to another in December. If your award stopped and restarted in the same period, the system may not issue the bonus automatically.
You live abroad
You can receive the bonus in some approved overseas countries. However, rules vary and payments may take longer.
If you think you should have received your Christmas Bonus but didn’t, you can contact:
Does Universal Credit include the Christmas Bonus?
No. Universal Credit does not include a Christmas Bonus. Universal Credit claimants only receive the £10 bonus if they also receive a qualifying benefit such as:
- PIP
- DLA
- ADP (Scotland)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- State Pension
- Pension Credit
If you only receive Universal Credit and no other qualifying benefits, you will not receive the Christmas Bonus.
Will the Christmas Bonus amount increase in 2025?
At the time of writing, the Christmas Bonus remains at £10, the same amount it has been for many decades. There has been public discussion about increasing it due to rising costs, but no change has been announced for 2025.
If the government decides to change the amount, it will be announced on GOV.UK. If no announcement is made, the amount stays at £10.
Is the Christmas Bonus taxed?
No. The Christmas Bonus is completely tax-free. It does not count as income for benefit calculations, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction or Universal Credit.
It also does not affect:
- savings rules
- means-testing
- benefit caps
- any other benefit entitlement
It is simply a one-off goodwill payment.
Can I get more than one Christmas Bonus?
No. Even if you receive several qualifying benefits, you will only receive one £10 payment per year.
However, a couple may receive one payment each if both partners receive their own qualifying benefit.
Other support available in winter 2025
The Christmas Bonus is only one part of winter support. Many people also receive help through:
Winter Fuel Payment
If you were born before a certain cut-off date and live in the UK, you may receive a Winter Fuel Payment, a separate annual payment to help with heating costs.
Cold Weather Payments (England, Wales and Northern Ireland)
If the temperature in your local area drops below freezing for seven days in a row, you may receive an automatic Cold Weather Payment if you claim certain benefits.
Additional Scottish winter support
Scotland has its own winter support payments, including:
- Winter Heating Payment
- Child Winter Heating Payment
Local welfare schemes
Many councils run emergency support funds for food, energy and essential household costs. These schemes have different names in each area. Your local council website will explain what help is available.
What to do if you’re struggling at Christmas
If your income is low, the Christmas Bonus may not be enough to help you through the season. If you are struggling with food, fuel or rent, speak to an advice agency as soon as possible.
You can find free help from:
These organisations can help you with benefits checks, grants, budgeting, debt and emergency support.
Key points to remember
- The DWP Christmas Bonus in 2025 is worth £10.
- You get it automatically if you receive a qualifying benefit during the first full week of December.
- Universal Credit alone does not qualify you.
- The payment normally appears between 1 and 5 December 2025.
- It will show on your bank statement as “DWP XB” or something similar.
- It is tax-free and does not affect other benefits.
- If it does not arrive, contact the office that pays your qualifying benefit.
Useful links
- Christmas Bonus – GOV.UK
- Winter Fuel Payment – GOV.UK
- Cold Weather Payments – GOV.UK
- Social Security Scotland – mygov.scot
- Find your local council
The Christmas Bonus may be small, but it is guaranteed for people who qualify. Understanding how it works means you can plan ahead, check your eligibility, and know what to do if your payment goes missing. With this guide, you will have everything you need to make sure you receive the support you are entitled to this winter.