2 weeks Ago By [email protected] (Anita McSorley)
The Christmas Bonus for long-term social welfare recipients returns this year, with the payment due within days. The lump-sum is a double payment of the usual amount received and will be issued to an estimated 1.3 million people.
In October's Budget, Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys confirmed a total of 10 cost of living payments coming before Christmas. She said at the time: “I am delighted today to announce the largest Social Protection Budget in the history of the State – over €2.6 billion worth of measures aimed at supporting our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and working families.
“This Budget is about giving people a bit of extra help and putting money back in their pockets. It’s a Budget that places a strong focus on supporting family right across the State, while also tackling issues like child poverty. “I am also today announcing a series of 10 once off payments which will all be paid before Christmas.
These payments provide nearly €1.5 billion in support to individuals that will ease the financial pressure facing many households.” READ MORE: Aer Lingus Black Friday sale has flights to America under €200 - plus bargain fares to Spain READ MORE: People replacing air fryers with cheaper alternative that's just as healthy It has been confirmed that the Christmas Bonus will be paid next week, starting from Monday, December 2.
People do not need to apply for the bonus, if they qualify they will automatically get it. Some recipients are eligible for a double Christmas Bonus and may not realise it. If they are on more than one social welfare payment, they will get double pay on each one they receive.
For example, if a person gets the one-parent family payment and the domiciliary care allowance or a half-rate carer’s allowance as well as their primary payment, they will get a Christmas Bonus on both. What is the Christmas Bonus? According to Citizens Information: "The Christmas Bonus is a once-off double week payment for people getting a long-term social welfare payment. You do not need to apply for the Bonus.
If you qualify, you’ll automatically get it. The Christmas Bonus will be paid the week starting 2 December 2024 to people getting a qualifying social welfare payment. The Bonus is normally paid with your social welfare payment.
" Who gets the Christmas Bonus? A Christmas Bonus is paid to people getting long-term social welfare payments. Anyone who gets the following will be paid a Christmas Bonus: Fuel Allowance is not a qualifying payment for the Christmas Bonus. How much is the Christmas Bonus? Citizens Information say: "In 2024, the Christmas Bonus is 100% of your normal weekly payment.
The minimum Bonus amount that will be paid is €20. If an Increase for a Qualified Adult is paid directly to your dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant, the Christmas Bonus is also paid directly to them. "If you are getting 2 eligible social welfare payments (for example, a One-Parent Family Payment and the Domiciliary Care Allowance or a half-rate Carer’s Allowance as well as your primary payment) you will get the Christmas Bonus for both payments.
"For Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), which is paid monthly, the bonus is 100% of the weekly DCA rate. The DCA portion of the bonus is calculated independently of other payments." The full list of dates for the Cost of Living and Social Welfare lump sums: Friday, October 15 Week starting November 4 Tuesday November 5 Week starting November 11 Week starting November 25 Week starting December 2 Tuesday December 3 Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp.
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