DWP bonus payment for State Pension, Pension Credit, Attendance Allowance claimants in December

Eligible people receiving State Pension, Attendance Allowance or the guarantee credit part of Pension Credit during the qualifying week

Recipients of the Winter Fuel Payment are set to receive an additional bonus this December on top of their regular payout from the Department for Work and Pensions. The DWP is reintroducing its Christmas Bonus for the winter period of 2026 to 2027.

The bonus provides an additional £10 alongside usual payments. Pensioners receiving Attendance Allowance, the state pension (including Graduated Retirement Benefit), and the guarantee credit element of Pension Credit will be eligible, reports Birmingham Live.

According to the DWP: "The Christmas Bonus is a one-off tax-free £10 payment made before Christmas, paid to people who get certain benefits in the qualifying week. This is normally the first full week of December."

The statement continues: "You do not need to claim - you should get paid automatically. All benefits, pensions and allowances are normally paid into an account, such as your bank account. It may show up as 'DWP XB' on your bank statement."

Eligibility requires receiving at least one of the qualifying benefits during the 'qualifying week' - typically the first complete week of December. Those who haven't claimed their State Pension and aren't entitled to another qualifying benefit won't receive a Christmas Bonus.

There's no need to submit a claim for the Christmas Bonus as it's paid automatically. However, if you believe you're entitled but haven't received it by 1 January, you should contact either the Jobcentre Plus office handling your payments or the Pension Service.