Why have I got £10 from DWP? Christmas bonus payment explained - and who is eligible

Millions of people are set to receive a one-off cash boost on the first week of December. The Department of Work and Pensions will be sending out out a £10 Christmas bonus to help families cope with the rising costs of the winter season.

Due to soaring energy bills and inflation, the tax-free payment is in addition to any normal benefits or cost of living support given by the government. The bonus will arrive separately to the usual benefit payments. People on Universal Credit and no other benefit will not be eligible, however if you have Universal Credit and one of the following, you should be able to get the payment:

Here’s all you need to know about the £10 ‘Christmas Bonus’ from the DWP (Department for Work and Pensions), who is eligible for it and if it can be claimed...

Why have I got £10 from DWP?

If you’re wondering why you’ve received £10 from the DWP then fear not - it’s unlikely to be a mistake and you won’t have to return it. The £10 payment is a one-off tax-free ‘Christmas Bonus’ from the government department before the festive season takes full swing.

The Government website says: "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. This is normally the first full week of December. You do not need to claim - you should get paid automatically."

What is the ‘Christmas Bonus’?

The ‘Christmas Bonus’ will have arrived at a good time for many families, with rising costs of living from food and fuel to energy bills and clothes. The Xmas bonus is paid automatically to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week, which is normally the first full week of December.

It won’t impact any of the benefits received and the £10 payment is likely to show up on your bank statement as ‘DWP XB’, according to the government.

Who is eligible for the ‘Christmas Bonus’?

In order to receive a ‘Christmas Bonus’, you must be a resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. Not only that, you must also be in receipt of a certain type of benefit from the government during the first full week of December, known as qualifying week.

These benefits include Carer’s Allowance, Child Disability Payment, Disability Living Allowance, State Pension, Widow’s Pension and Armed Forces Independence Payment.

Full list of benefits:

• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Child Disability Payment
• Constant 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 Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit at the long-term rate
• Industrial Death Benefit (for widows or widowers)
• Mobility Supplement
• Pension Credit - the guarantee element
• Personal 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 age
• War Widow’s Pension
• Widowed Mother’s Allowance
• Widowed Parent’s Allowance
• Widow’s Pension

How can I claim £10 from DWP?

The £10 received by people claiming some benefits, outlined above, will be paid automatically into your bank account - there is no need to claim, say the government. However, if you think you should receive the ‘Christmas Bonus’ but haven’t then you are advised to contact the Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments.