DWP Christmas bonus payment explained - who is eligible and when will it be paid?

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will issue eligible benefit claimants with the bonus payment soon. Those who claim qualifying benefits will be eligible for the payment.

Here’s everything you need to know about this year’s Christmas benefit bonus.

How much is DWP Christmas bonus payment?

The DWP Christmas bonus payment will see certain benefit claimants receive an £10 in their normal payment. The government’s website explains: “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.”

Who is eligible for the DWP Christmas bonus payment?

Those who are eligible to receive the Christmas bonus payment are those who receive at least one of the following benefits in the first week in December, which is known as the ‘qualifying week’:

• Adult Disability Payment
• Armed Forces Independence Payment
• Attendance Allowance
• Carer’s Allowance
• Carer Support Payment
• 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 Age Disability Payment
• Pension Credit - the guarantee element
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Scottish Adult Disability Living Allowance (SADLA)
• Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected)
• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)
• 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

The government has also said that you must be present or “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week to be eligible for the bonus.

Couple who are married, in a civil partnership or cohabitating will both receive the bonus independently if they are both in receipt of a benefit from the list above

How to claim DWP Christmas bonus payment

The Christmas bonus payment will be paid automatically to those who are eligible. Therefore, you do not need to specifically claim the bonus. If you have not received the bonus by January 1 but believe that you are eligible, then you are advised to contact your Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service.

Christmas payment dates vary for claimants depending on when you normally receive your benefit. If you are due to receive payment on Christmas Day (December 25) or Boxing Day (December 26), you are likely to be paid on Christmas Eve (December 24) as benefits due on a bank holiday are normally paid on the working day before. These dates are still set to be confirmed by the DWP, with payment dates set to be confirmed next month.