The DWP is sending out a £10 Christmas bonus to thousands, a long-standing tradition that has sparked curiosity among recipients this festive season
London: So, here’s the scoop. The government is dishing out £10 to thousands of folks this Christmas, and some people might have already seen it pop up in their bank accounts.
This payment shows up as “DWP XB” and is actually a little Christmas bonus, not part of the usual universal credit payments.
The Department of Work and Pensions has clarified that this is a long-standing Christmas bonus for benefits claimants. It’s a one-off payment that won’t mess with any other benefits you might be getting.
Payments started rolling out on December 4, and it’s all about helping people during the festive season.
One person shared on X, “Just got my £10 Xmas bonus from those lovely people at the DWP.” They pointed out that this bonus has been stuck at £10 since the early ’70s, and if it had kept up with inflation, it would be over £140 now!
In 2024, a petition gathered over 20,000 signatures asking for an increase to help with the rising cost of living. Shona McMahon, who started the petition, said, “Christmas is THE most expensive time of the year.”
A DWP rep mentioned they know budgets get tight during Christmas, which is why they pay benefits earlier to help people prepare.
But as it stands, the Christmas bonus remains at £10, and to qualify, you need to be claiming certain benefits like disability payments or pension credits.
