Why Have I Got £10 From DWP? – Understanding the £10 Deposit
As the festive season approaches, many people across the UK are pleasantly surprised to find an unexpected £10 payment in their bank accounts, labelled “DWP XB.” If you’re one of them, you might be asking: Why have I got £10 from DWP this December?
This small but symbolic sum is known as the DWP Christmas Bonus, a longstanding government initiative aimed at supporting benefit claimants during the holiday season.
In this article, we’ll explore what the £10 payment is, who is eligible to receive it, what to do if you didn’t get it, and whether it still holds value in today’s economic climate.
If you’re receiving Universal Credit, PIP, or Pension Credit, this guide will help you understand everything you need to know about the DWP Christmas Bonus.
What Is the 10 Pound Payment from DWP?
The £10 payment you received from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is the annual Christmas Bonus, a one-off tax-free payment issued to eligible individuals receiving certain benefits.
First introduced in the early 1970s, the bonus was designed to offer extra financial support during the festive period.
Unlike most other DWP benefits, the Christmas Bonus is not means-tested. Instead, it’s automatically issued to anyone meeting the eligibility requirements during a specific “qualifying week”, typically the first full week of December.
Key Features of the £10 DWP Payment:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Amount | £10 (fixed, tax-free, one-off payment) |
| Name in Bank Account | Appears as "DWP XB" |
| Timing | Paid in early December |
| Application Needed? | No, it’s issued automatically |
| Effect on Benefits | Does not affect any other benefits you receive |
Despite its modest value, the payment serves as a recognition of support needs during what is often the most financially demanding time of the year.
Why Have I Got £10 From DWP This December?
If you’ve noticed this deposit, rest assured, it’s not a banking error or a scam. The £10 Christmas Bonus is paid automatically to individuals who were receiving at least one qualifying benefit during the qualifying week, which usually falls in the first full week of December.
There is no need to apply, and no paperwork required. If you received the payment, it means the system automatically recognised you as eligible based on your existing benefits.
The timing is intentional, giving recipients a small financial boost to help with rising expenses during the holiday season, including food, heating, and gift purchases. While the sum hasn’t increased since its inception, it still remains a token of state support.
How Does the DWP Decide Who Gets the £10 Bonus?
The Department for Work and Pensions uses a combination of benefit entitlement and residency status to determine eligibility for the Christmas Bonus.
If you were receiving one or more of the qualifying benefits during the relevant qualifying week, you will have been included in the payment run.
Eligibility Criteria
The criteria include:
- You must be present or ‘ordinarily resident’ in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week.
- You must be receiving one or more qualifying benefits (more on this below).
Automation and Processing
This process is fully automated, meaning no manual intervention is required on your part. DWP systems cross-reference benefit records to identify those entitled and initiate payment directly to the bank account associated with your benefits.
If you’re eligible through multiple benefits, you will still only receive one £10 payment.
What Does ‘DWP XB’ Mean on My Bank Statement?
Seeing “DWP XB” on your bank statement can be confusing, especially if you weren’t expecting it. The abbreviation stands for:
- DWP: Department for Work and Pensions
- XB: Christmas Bonus
This specific label is used only for the £10 Christmas Bonus and should not be confused with regular Universal Credit or state pension payments.
The use of the term is standard across all banks and helps distinguish the bonus from other DWP-related transactions.
Do You Get a Christmas Bonus on Universal Credit?
The answer is a bit nuanced. Universal Credit alone does not make you eligible for the £10 Christmas Bonus.
However, if you’re claiming Universal Credit and receive another qualifying benefit, such as Personal Independence Payment (PIP) or Carer’s Allowance, you may receive the bonus.
Examples of Eligibility Scenarios:
| Universal Credit Only | Universal Credit + PIP or Carer's Allowance | Eligible for Bonus? |
|---|---|---|
| ✅ | ❌ | No |
| ✅ | ✅ | Yes |
It’s a common misconception that all Universal Credit recipients receive the bonus. In fact, the DWP explicitly states that Universal Credit is not on the list of qualifying benefits.
Can You Receive More Than One DWP Christmas Bonus?
You can only receive one DWP Christmas Bonus, even if you qualify through several different benefits. The £10 payment is a standard, one-off bonus designed to keep the process simple and fair for everyone.
Many people qualify through more than one benefit, for example, Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carer’s Allowance, Pension Credit, or Personal Independence Payment (PIP). However, even if you receive multiple eligible benefits, the DWP will still issue only a single £10 payment.
If you think you’ve received more than one Christmas Bonus by mistake, it’s important to contact Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service so they can review and correct any errors.
What If You Didn’t Get the £10 DWP Bonus?
There are a few reasons why you might not have received the bonus, even if you think you qualify:
Possible Reasons:
- You didn’t meet the residency requirements during the qualifying week
- Your benefit type is not on the list of qualifying payments
- You started your benefit after the qualifying week
- Bank details may have changed or are incorrect
- A processing error occurred
If you’re confident you should have received the payment, you can contact DWP directly or your local Jobcentre Plus. Be sure to have your National Insurance number and details of your current benefits to hand when enquiring.
Is the £10 Christmas Bonus Still Enough in Today’s Economy?
It’s no secret that £10 in 2025 doesn’t stretch as far as it did in the 1970s. At the time of its introduction in 1972-73, £10 had significantly greater purchasing power, equivalent to more than £140 today, adjusted for inflation.
Historical Value Comparison:
| Year | Value of £10 in Today’s Money | Inflation-Adjusted Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | ~£140 | Over 13x the current bonus |
| 2025 | £10 | No adjustment since 1972 |
In recent years, public sentiment has increasingly called for a review of the bonus amount, with petitions gaining traction. One petition in 2024 gained over 20,000 signatures, urging the government to consider raising the bonus to reflect modern living costs.
Yet, despite inflation and increased pressure on household budgets, especially during winter, there has been no increase to the bonus. The DWP has defended its broader package of year-round support, rather than changing this single bonus.
Conclusion
If you’ve received £10 from DWP this December, it’s your annual Christmas Bonus, a small, automatic payment made to those receiving certain qualifying benefits. It doesn’t require an application, won’t affect your other entitlements, and is typically deposited as “DWP XB.”
While the value has remained unchanged for over 50 years, the payment still represents a token of support from the UK government during the holiday season. If you haven’t received it but believe you’re eligible, it’s worth reaching out to DWP for clarification.
In challenging economic times, every little bit helps, and understanding where your support comes from is the first step in making the most of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I contact DWP if I think my bonus payment is missing?
If your £10 bonus hasn’t appeared, you should contact the Jobcentre Plus or the Pension Service. You can also visit the official DWP Contact Page for phone numbers and online help.
Can I get the Christmas Bonus if I recently started claiming a benefit?
Only those receiving a qualifying benefit during the qualifying week in early December are eligible. If your claim began after that week, you won’t receive the bonus until the next cycle.
Is the £10 bonus paid every year or just in 2025?
The Christmas Bonus is an annual payment issued every December, provided the scheme continues. It is not exclusive to 2025.
Does Carer’s Allowance qualify you for the £10 Christmas Bonus?
Yes, Carer’s Allowance is one of the qualifying benefits. If you’re receiving this benefit during the qualifying week, you should automatically receive the £10 bonus.
Will the Christmas Bonus appear separately from other benefits?
Yes, it shows up in your bank statement as “DWP XB”, separate from any other benefit payments you receive.
Can I receive the bonus if I live abroad full-time?
You must be ordinarily resident in the UK, Channel Islands, Isle of Man, or Gibraltar during the qualifying week. If you live abroad permanently, you may not be eligible.
Is the Christmas Bonus affected by Universal Credit changes?
Universal Credit changes do not directly affect the bonus. However, you must receive a qualifying benefit other than UC to get the bonus, as UC itself doesn’t qualify.
