DWP Christmas Bonus Paid This Month – Full List of Eligible Benefits and Payment Dates

Millions of pensioners and people claiming certain Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) benefits — including Carer’s Allowance and Personal Independence Payment (PIP) — will receive an extra cash payment this month.

The DWP has begun issuing its annual £10 Christmas bonus to eligible claimants. First introduced in 1972, this one-off payment is paid during the first full week of December to those receiving qualifying benefits such as the State Pension. However, the bonus has never been increased in line with inflation and would be worth around £180 today if it had kept pace with rising costs.

Who qualifies for the DWP Christmas bonus?

To receive the £10 payment, individuals must be entitled to one of the qualifying benefits alongside Universal Credit.

Eligible benefits include:

• 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 (after the initial 13-week assessment period)

• Disability Living Allowance

• Incapacity Benefit (long-term rate)

• Industrial Death Benefit (for widows and widowers)

• Mobility Supplement

• Pension Credit (guarantee element)

• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)

• State Pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit)

• Severe Disablement Allowance (where transitional protection applies)

• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance (under Industrial Injuries or War Pensions schemes)

• War Disablement Pension (for those over State Pension age)

• War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension

• Widowed Mother’s Allowance

• Widowed Parent’s Allowance

• Widow’s Pension

Christmas and New Year payment dates

If your usual pension or benefit payment is due on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, it will be paid early on Wednesday, December 24.

Those scheduled to receive Universal Credit or other benefit payments on New Year’s Day (Thursday, January 1) will instead be paid on Wednesday, December 31.

According to the Government website, benefit payments are typically made directly into a claimant’s bank, building society or credit union account. When a payment date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, funds are usually issued on the preceding working day.