Everything you need to know about the 2024 DWP Christmas bonus

The Department for Work and Pensions’ (DWP) annual Christmas bonus payment for pensioners and those on benefits is a tradition dating back more than five decades.

With roots as a one-off gesture to help pensioners during high inflation, the bonus quickly became a recurring payment that’s still around.

When can I expect the bonus?

Mark your calendars! To receive the £10 Christmas bonus in 2024, you need to be living in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the designated ‘qualifying week’.

For 2024, this week runs from 2-8 December. If you’re not in one of these locations during this time, you won’t be eligible for the bonus.

Who qualifies for the bonus?

To get the Christmas bonus, you must be receiving at least one eligible benefit during the qualifying week.

You’ll typically qualify if you get the state pension or certain benefits, while some people are eligible while living in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland.

DWP will usually write to tell you that you’re eligible but you might get this letter after being paid.

A complete list of eligible benefits is available on the government website. It’s always a good idea to double-check your eligibility if you're unsure.

What do I need to do to be paid?

If you are eligible for the Christmas Bonus, you don’t need to apply for it.

The payment will be automatically paid into your account during the first week of December.

It’ll show up as being from ‘DWP XB’.

Stuck in the past

Despite inflation and rising living costs, the Christmas Bonus has remained at £10 since it was first introduced in 1972 by then-Tory Prime Minister Edward ‘Ted’ Heath.

Back then, the weekly pension was just £6.75, so an extra £10 made a significant difference. It helped families buy their Christmas dinners and even put a dent in gift costs.

Fast forward to today and that £10 doesn’t stretch very far, not even covering the price of the smallest turkey crown (£15.49 from Aldi).

If we consider inflation, the bonus would be worth well over £100 today. Imagine how much more festive cheer that could bring!

The government has said that the £10 payment won’t change, though a petition urging them to increase it has grown to over 19,000 signatures.

With the Treasury facing a £22 billion black hole in public finances, it remains to be seen if this winter will be the government’s season of goodwill.

Are you getting all the help you’re entitled to?

The Christmas bonus is an extra £10 in your pocket, so it’s still worth checking that you’re claiming all the benefits you qualify for. 

Use our free benefits calculator to make sure you’re not missing out on support.

You can also ask us for free debt advice, either online or over the phone on 0161 518 8285.