You heard me correct. The government hands out Christmas 'bonuses' if we qualify for certain benefits. But don't get too excited, as it probably won't buy you much this Christmas.
While there are dozens of government benefits available, the Christmas bonus is rarely mentioned. That's because it gets paid automatically as part of our other benefits. So we may not even notice it land in our bank account.
What is the government Christmas bonus?
The government Christmas bonus is a £10 tax-free payment for those of us that get certain benefits. We get this bonus paid during the first week of December. So in 2024, that's the week beginning December 2nd.
If we receive at least one of the following benefits during the first week of December, we will also get the bonus:
Adult Disability Payment
Armed Forces Independence Payment
Attendance Allowance
Carer’s Allowance
Carer Support Payment
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 Age Disability Payment
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
For example, if we're claiming the state pension which is paid every 4 weeks, then in the first week of December, a separate £10 payment will be paid to us.
Unfortunately, since 2018 anybody claiming Universal Credit no longer gets the Christmas bonus.
The government £10 Christmas bonus is paid automatically if we meet the criteria
Is the government Christmas bonus new this year?
The government Christmas bonus has actually been around since 1972.
Sadly, it hasn't risen in value since then! And while the official wording around this bonus is to help cover the costs of Christmas, what can £10 really buy these days?
Looking at inflation since 1972, that £10 would now need to be worth around £170 to keep up with the rising cost of living.
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