Christmas Bonus

What is it?

The Christmas Bonus is a lump sum payment awarded to you if you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit in the last complete benefit week in November (called the relevant week).

Basic qualifying condition

You must be in receipt of 1 of the qualifying benefits:

• Retirement Pension
• Long term Incapacity Benefit
• Widowed Parent's Allowance
• Carer's Allowance
• Attendance Allowance
• Disability Living Allowance
• Unemployability Supplement or Allowance
• Income Support (subject to further conditions being satisfied)
• Employed Person's Allowance
• Severe Disablement Allowance (transitionally protected cases)
• Widowed Mother's Allowance (transitionally protected cases)
• Widow's Pension (transitionally protected cases)
• Industrial Death Benefit

How much could I get and how am I paid?

See the benefits rates for further details.

The bonus is normally paid with the qualifying benefit, though in some cases it may be paid by a separate cheque which can be cashed at a Post Office or paid into a bank or building society account.

How and when should I apply?

The bonus is paid automatically and there is no separate claim required.

For further information on the Christmas Bonus, please see downloadable documents.