DWP one-off payment for pension and benefit claimants
In December, eligible recipients across Great Britain will receive a one-off £10 payment from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), known as the Christmas Bonus.
Who qualifies for the payment
Almost 24 million people in Great Britain receive at least one DWP-administered benefit, including 13 million pensioners, 5.7 million on Universal Credit, and 3.8 million Personal Independence Payment (PIP) claimants. The Christmas Bonus applies only to certain benefits, not Universal Credit.
When and how payments are made
Payments will be made automatically before January 1, 2026, to those who meet eligibility criteria during the qualifying week, usually the first full week of December. The bonus is separate from regular benefit or pension payments and may be issued on a different day.
Covered benefits
- State Pension
- Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Devolved Scottish disability benefits
- Other contributory and qualifying benefits, totaling 23 in all
The DWP’s Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free £10 payment for people receiving specific benefits before Christmas.
Additional notes
New pensioners and recipients of devolved disability benefits such as the Pension Age Disability Payment or Adult/Child Disability Payment may not always be aware of this annual payment.
Author’s summary: The DWP will issue a £10 tax-free Christmas Bonus automatically to eligible pension and benefit recipients across Great Britain before the start of 2026.