EXTRA payments are heading to millions of people’s bank accounts, offering a welcome helping hand ahead of Christmas.
Many might be caught by surprise and notice an unusual reference on their bank statement: DWP XB.
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It’s the sign that you’ve been paid the annual Christmas bonus.
You’ll see the code if you’re claiming Universal Credit and other benefits and will get the extra cash for the festive season.
Here we explain everything you need to know about the payment.
What does DWP XB mean?
Extra costs can quickly add up over Christmas and that’s why the government offers a helping hand to millions on benefits.
If you check your bank account or statement you might see the reference DWP XB.
It’s the sign that you have been paid the extra cash.
DWP stands for the Department for Welfare and Pensions – the government department which handles benefits.
The XB part of the code stands for Xmas Bonus.
How much Christmas bonus will I get?
The one-off annual payment is worth £10.
People who are eligible for the Christmas bonus include those on Universal Credit and people on the state pension.
Your usual benefits won’t be affected by the extra payment, and you’ll continue to receive your benefits as usual.
It’s not a huge bonus but could come in handy at Christmas time, especially as the cost of living has soared.
Who can get the Christmas bonus?
Firstly, must be present or ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man or Gibraltar during the qualifying week to get the Christmas bonus.
That’s the first full week of December.
There are several benefits which qualify for the Christmas bonus.
You’ll need to be claiming one of the following to get the cash:
- 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
If you have not claimed your state pension and are not entitled to one of the other qualifying benefits you will not get a Christmas Bonus
When will I get my Christmas bonus?
The payment is paid to people who are claiming benefits in the first full week of December, which began on December 4, 2023.
This means claimants will start receiving the extra cash directly into their bank accounts from this date.
You do not need to claim the Christmas Bonus – you should get it automatically.
But if you think you should get it, but have not, contact the Jobcentre Plus office that deals with your payments or the Pension Service.
It’s not the only cash boost you might get before Christmas Day either – check if you can get a helping hand from a major fund too.
