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Writer's pictureJordan White DipPFS

Are you getting a government Christmas bonus this year?



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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