Unveiling Christmas Bonus Payments for Social Welfare Recipients
The Christmas bonus payments for social welfare recipients are set to begin today. This payment aims to support long-term recipients, including pensioners, lone parents, carers, and individuals with disabilities.
Details of Christmas Bonus Payments
In total, €370 million will be distributed to eligible individuals. Recipients will receive their bonus coinciding with their usual primary payment schedule. The minimum bonus payable is €20.
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals can qualify for the Christmas bonus if they receive one of the following:
- Pension benefits
- Carer’s Allowance
- Lone Parent Payment
- Illness Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance for a minimum of 12 months
- Back to Education Allowance
- Farm Assist
If you receive multiple eligible social welfare payments, you will receive the Christmas bonus for each. For those on Domiciliary Care Allowance, the bonus equals 100% of the weekly rate.
Support for Families
Minister Calleary emphasized the importance of this support amid financial pressures, particularly during the Christmas season. He encouraged shoppers to support local businesses during this time.
Counties with Highest Numbers of Recipients
Significant numbers of recipients can be found in the following counties:
- Dublin: over 348,000 recipients
- Cork: just over 159,100 recipients
- Galway: nearly 73,000 recipients
- Limerick: approximately 64,300 recipients
Upcoming Changes in January
Starting in January, there will be increases to various social welfare payments. The following changes will take effect:
- Maximum weekly payments will rise by €10.
- Child Support Payments will increase by:
- €8 for children under 12, from €50 to €58.
- €16 for children aged 12 and over, from €62 to €78.
- Fuel allowance will rise by €5 to €38 per week.
- Working family payment recipients will also qualify for the fuel allowance starting in March, retroactive to January.
For comprehensive details regarding qualifying payments for the Christmas bonuses, visit Emegypt.
