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What is the Christmas Bonus?

For people getting certain benefits in the qualifying week before Christmas.

Applies to: England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland Last checked against official sources: 6 October 2026

It's a one-off, tax-free £10 payment before Christmas for people getting certain benefits in the qualifying week, normally the first full week of December. You don't need to claim; it's paid automatically.

Key facts

  • £10 tax-free
  • Paid automatically
  • Qualifying week in early December

Which benefits give you the Christmas Bonus

You get the £10 if you get at least one of these in the qualifying week:

GroupBenefits
PensionsState Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit), Pension Credit (guarantee element)
DisabilityAttendance Allowance, Personal Independence Payment, Disability Living Allowance, Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment, Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance, Armed Forces Independence Payment, Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
CaringCarer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment
SicknessContribution-based Employment and Support Allowance (only after the first 13 weeks of your claim), long-term Incapacity Benefit
OtherConstant Attendance Allowance, Industrial Death Benefit, Mobility Supplement, Unemployability Supplement or Allowance, War Disablement Pension (at State Pension age), War Widow's Pension, Widowed Parent's or Mother's Allowance, Widow's Pension

If you have not claimed your State Pension and do not get one of the other benefits, you will not get the bonus.

When the qualifying week is

The qualifying week is normally the first full week of December. You must also be in, or normally live in, the UK, the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man or Gibraltar that week. Different rules apply to UK nationals living in the EEA or Switzerland.

How it is paid

  • You do not need to claim. It is paid automatically.
  • It goes into the same account as your benefit.
  • It may show as "DWP XB" on your bank statement.
  • It is tax free and does not affect any other benefits.
  • If you are paid more than one bonus, tell the Jobcentre Plus office or Pension Service that pays you.

Couples

If you and your partner both get a qualifying benefit, you each get £10.

Your partner can also get a bonus without their own qualifying benefit if:

  • you are both over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week, and
  • your partner was also in, or normally lived in, the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, an EEA country or Switzerland that week, and
  • either you get an extra amount of your benefit for them, or the only qualifying benefit you get is Pension Credit

If it does not arrive

If you think you qualify but have not been paid by 1 January, contact:

  • the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments, or
  • the Pension Service, if you get State Pension or Pension Credit

If you live in Scotland or Northern Ireland

  • Scotland: Scottish benefits such as Adult Disability Payment, Child Disability Payment, Pension Age Disability Payment and Carer Support Payment all count.
  • Northern Ireland: the bonus is also £10, tax free and paid automatically. Check nidirect for details.

Related guides

Where this comes from

Get it done

This takes you to the official service, which is free to use.

Who gets it

Common questions

Who gets the Christmas Bonus?

You get it if you receive a qualifying benefit, such as State Pension, Pension Credit, PIP, Attendance Allowance or Carer's Allowance, in the qualifying week.

Does the Christmas Bonus affect other benefits?

No, it's tax-free and will not affect any other benefits you get.

What if I haven't received my Christmas Bonus?

If you think you should get it but have not by 1 January, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that pays you, or the Pension Service.

Do couples both get the Christmas Bonus?

Yes, if you both get a qualifying benefit, you'll each get a Christmas Bonus payment.

Official sources

  1. 1.Christmas Bonuswww.gov.uk/christmas-bonus
  2. 2.Christmas Bonus: eligibilitywww.gov.uk/christmas-bonus/eligibility
  3. 3.Christmas Bonus: what you'll getwww.gov.uk/christmas-bonus/what-youll-get
  4. 4.Christmas Bonus: how to claimwww.gov.uk/christmas-bonus/how-to-claim
  5. 5.Christmas Bonus: further informationwww.gov.uk/christmas-bonus/further-information

Checked against GOV.UK on 6 October 2026

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