DWP sending Christmas bonus from this week – full list of everyone who is eligible

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has started paying out its Christmas bonus to millions of people claiming certain benefits.

The Christmas bonus is worth just £10 and is paid to people claiming benefits such as Pension Credit and Personal Independence Payment. But if the cash had kept up with inflation, it would be worth £115.76 today. Writing on X/Twitter today, one person commented: "Merry Christmas everyone just received my £10 DWP carers bonus will be careful not to spend it all at once."

Another said: "Just received my Pensioners Christmas Bonus from the DWP £10. Wow. Not ungrateful, but it probably costs more to administer than the actual benefit." A third person said: "So excited- I got my £10 DWP Christmas bonus in my account this am! It'll buy me a hot water bottle to keep me warm this winter."

Do you think the £10 Christmas bonus is enough? Let us know: mirror.money.saving@mirror.co.uk

This Christmas bonus was introduced by the DWP in 1972 and has never been permanently raised. It was briefly increased to £70 in 2008 to support people during the financial crash but was reduced back to £10 the following year.

If you’re entitled to the money, then it should appear in your bank account automatically – you won’t need to apply for it. It normally appears as "DWP XB" on your bank statement. It is tax-free, does not affect any other benefits you're claiming, and should come through by January 1 at the latest.

On GOV.UK, it says you have to be in receipt of one of following benefits in the "qualifying week" – which is usually the first full week of December – to get the Christmas bonus:

• Adult Disability Payment

• Armed Forces Independence Payment

• Attendance Allowance

• Carer’s Allowance

• Child Disability Payment

• 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

You must also be present or "ordinarily resident" in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. If you’re a married couple, in a civil partnership or living together, it is possible for both of you to get the Christmas bonus.

You each need to be claiming one of the qualifying benefits. If one partner does not receive one of the qualifying benefits, they may still be eligible for the payment, as long as they meet both of the following requirements:

• You’re both over State Pension age by the end of the qualifying week

• Your partner or civil partner was also present (or ‘ordinarily resident’) in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, Gibraltar, European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland during the qualifying week

And either:

• 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

Giant Hotel Chocolat hamper that makes a gorgeous Christmas gift is now under £40

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