Households on benefits and Universal Credit can get Christmas bonus this month – find out if you’re eligible
HARD-UP households who claim benefits may be entitled to a benefits boost over the Christmas period with a bonus payment.
The one-off tax-free payment is worth £10 and will arrive in your bank account before December 25.
Not everyone will be able to get the extra cash though as it's only available to those who claim certain benefits.
Here's everything you need to know about the Christmas cash boost:
What is the Christmas Bonus?
The Christmas Bonus is an extra payment given to households who claim specific benefits.
It's worth £10 and is usually paid in the first full week of December - this is called the qualifying week.
The payment won't affect any other benefits that you get.
So for example, if you're claiming Universal Credit, the added payment won't increase your income during that assessment period and lower your benefits in turn.
Instead, they will stay the same as they normally are.
The payment is designed to help those receiving benefits or the State Pension to cover the extra costs of the festive season.
Who can claim the Christmas Bonus?
Only those who live in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, any European Economic Area (EEA) country, or Switzerland during the week when the payment is due.
You must also be claiming one of the benefits below during the December payment week:
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- 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
Unfortunately, those on Universal Credit won't be automatically entitled to the payment unless they also get one of the above benefits.
So only those who claim PIP and contribuition-based ESA payments will therefore be eligible.
What to do if you have problems claiming Universal Credit
IF you're experiencing trouble applying for your Universal Credit, or the payments just don't cover costs, here are your options:
Apply for an advance - Claimants are able to get some cash within five days rather than waiting weeks for their first payment. But it's a loan which means the repayments will be automatically deducted from your future Universal Credit pay out.
Alternative Payment Arrangements- If you're falling behind on rent, you or your landlord may be able to apply for an APA which will get your payment sent directly to your landlord. You might also be able to change your payments to get them more frequently, or you can split the payments if you're part of a couple.
Budgeting Advance - You may be able to get help from the government to help with emergency household costs of up to £348 if you're single, £464 if you're part of a couple or £812 if you have children. These are only in cases like your cooker breaking down or for help getting a job. You'll have to repay the advance through your regular Universal Credit payments. You'll still have to repay the loan, even if you stop claiming for Universal Credit.
Cut your Council Tax - You might be able to get a discount on your Council Tax or be entitled to Discretionary Housing Payments if your payments aren't enough to cover your rent.
Foodbanks - If you're really hard up and struggling to buy food and toiletries, you can find your local foodbank who will provide you with help for free. You can find your nearest one on the
If you're part of a married couple, in a civil partnership or living together as if you are and you both get one of the qualifying benefits than you'll each get a bonus payment.
If your partner doesn't get one of the qualifying benefits, they may still get the extra payment if:
- You're both over State Pension age by the end of the first full week in December,
- You're both a resident of the qualifying regions by the end of the first full week in December,
- You're entitled to an increase of a qualifying benefit for your partner or civil partner,
- The only qualifying benefit you're getting is Pension Credit.
How do I claim it?
You don't need to do anything to claim the Christmas Bonus as you should get it automatically.
The money will be transferred into the bank account that your benefits are normally paid into.
It may show up as "DWP XB" on your bank statement.
If you haven't received it and think you should have then you should contact the office or .
