DWP Confirms £10 Christmas Bonus in 2025—Who Qualifies for More This Holiday Season?

As December 2025 approaches, speculation is swirling about who will receive what from the UK’s Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) this festive season. Social media buzz and unofficial headlines have led many to believe that a £180 Christmas bonus is coming to all benefit recipients. But what does official guidance say?

The truth is far more nuanced. While many households will receive several government support payments in December, the core DWP Christmas Bonus remains fixed at £10, and there is no confirmed universal £180 payout for all claimants.

What Is the DWP Christmas Bonus?

The Christmas Bonus is a one-off, tax-free payment of £10, issued automatically to people receiving specific qualifying benefits. It is typically paid during the first full week of December and appears on bank statements with a reference like “DWP XB.”

Introduced in the 1970s, the bonus was intended as a small festive gesture for people on long-term support. However, its value has not increased with inflation, meaning it now offers much less in real terms.

Despite widespread belief that it would be uprated or replaced, official 2025 guidance confirms the amount remains at £10 per eligible person.

Where the “£180 for Everyone” Rumour Came From

Some blogs and social media posts have claimed that “everyone on benefits will receive £180” from DWP this December. These posts often confuse or combine multiple payments into a single figure. While it’s true that many low-income households could receive £100–£500 in total support this December, this money comes from different schemes with separate eligibility rules.

For example, a claimant might receive:

• £10 Christmas Bonus
• £410 or £500 Cost of Living Payment
• Winter Fuel Payment or Pensioner top-up (for qualifying pensioners)

These are not a single universal payment—and not everyone qualifies for all of them.

Who Qualifies for the £10 Christmas Bonus?

To receive the Christmas Bonus, a person must:

• Be “ordinarily resident” in the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week (usually the first full week of December)
• Be entitled to at least one qualifying benefit

Qualifying benefits include:

• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Carer’s Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance (DLA)
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Incapacity Benefit
• War Widow’s or Widower’s Pension
• Severe Disablement Allowance

Universal Credit (UC) alone does not qualify someone for the bonus. However, those on UC and another qualifying benefit may still receive the £10.

If both partners in a couple receive a qualifying benefit, each gets £10, meaning a total of £20 per household.

When Is the Christmas Bonus Paid in 2025?

The DWP typically pays the Christmas Bonus between 1 and 7 December. There’s no need to apply; the payment is made automatically into the same bank or building society account used for your regular benefit.

The transaction will likely be labelled “DWP XB” on your bank statement.

Other Payments in December 2025: Cost of Living Support

Alongside the £10 bonus, the government has announced separate winter and cost of living support schemes:

1. £500 Cost of Living Payment

A one-time payment for qualifying low-income households receiving:

• Universal Credit (if included in 2025 rules)
• Pension Credit
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA)
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)

2. £410 Cost of Living Payment

Another confirmed payment for eligible households. This payment may be for families facing higher winter costs, though full criteria will be published closer to the payment window.

Both payments are automatic, meaning no application is required, and are expected to begin in early December 2025.

Combined December 2025 Support: Example Scenarios

Depending on which benefits a household receives, their total December support can vary significantly.

Claimant Type	Christmas Bonus	Cost of Living Support	Estimated Total (Excluding Regular Benefits)
Single Pensioner on State Pension only	£10	Possibly none or £410 if on Pension Credit	£10–£420
Pensioner Couple on Pension Credit	£20 (both partners)	£500 (one household payment)	£520
Disabled Person on PIP + ESA	£10	£500	£510
Universal Credit Claimant (no other benefits)	£0	£410 or £500	£410–£500
Carer on Carer’s Allowance + Pension Credit	£10 or £20	£500	£510–£520

Note: These combinations are for illustration only. Individual entitlements may vary based on the latest DWP eligibility guidance.

Why Claims of “£180 for Everyone” Are Misleading

There is no single, fixed £180 payment for all claimants. That figure is not referenced in any official DWP release or confirmed guidance. The confusion arises when multiple payments—like the Christmas Bonus, Cost of Living Support, and Winter Fuel Payments—are lumped together and treated as one benefit.

Some people may receive more than £180, others much less, and some may not receive anything at all if they don’t meet the criteria.

How to Check Your Eligibility and Payment Status

If you want to confirm your payment status:

• Visit the official GOV.UK website for the Christmas Bonus and Cost of Living Payment eligibility lists.
• Check your bank account around early– to mid-December for the “DWP XB” label or cost of living deposits.
• If the bonus hasn’t arrived by mid-December and you believe you qualify, contact the department that pays your primary benefit (e.g. Pension Service or Jobcentre Plus).

Beware of Scams and Misinformation

Unfortunately, scammers often exploit benefit-related news. Common red flags include:

• Messages asking for bank details or upfront fees
• Fake websites offering “faster payments”
• Social media posts claiming “extra money if you click this link”

The DWP never asks for login credentials or personal data via email or text. Always verify claims using official sources like GOV.UK or trusted news platforms.

Key Facts About the DWP Christmas Bonus 2025

• Value: £10 per eligible person (unchanged since the 1970s)
• Reference Code: Usually appears as “DWP XB”
• Payment Date: Between 1–7 December 2025
• Eligibility: Must be on a qualifying benefit during the set qualifying week
• Universal Credit Alone: Does not qualify for the bonus
• Separate Payments: £410 and £500 cost of living payments confirmed for December 2025