Over one million Irish people will get extra cash this week as the social welfare Christmas bonus is issued.
For the second year in a row, the bonus is being given to 1.2 million social welfare recipients at a 100 per cent rate.
Payments kicked off yesterday December 2 and will be issued throughout the week with recipients’ usual payments until Friday, December 6.
A total of €289.4million will be paid to pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, lone parents, long-term unemployed people and many other recipients.
Each recipient of the Christmas payments will receive exactly double their usual weekly payment during the first week of December.
The bonus applies to people who get:
State Pensions and Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions
Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Guardians’ payments.
One-Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker’s Transition Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance and Farm Assist
Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS and Job Initiative.
Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Back to Education Allowance and Daily Expenses Allowance (formerly Direct Provision Allowance).
Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty said last month “Last year, I was particularly pleased to announce the restoration of the additional Christmas Payment at a rate of 100 per cent.
“I am very happy that despite the current climate of uncertainty generated by Brexit, the Christmas Payment will again be paid at a rate of 100 per cent this year.
“This payment recognises the seasonal needs of people who are long-term financially dependent on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income, such as pensioners, people with disabilities and carers.
“This payment will help those people meet the extra expenses incurred over the Christmas period as well as provide an additional boost for local economies.”
The bonus was restored to 85 per cent in 2017 but last year was the first time in ten years that it was restored to 100 per cent.
There were fears for the bonus earlier this year when Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe ruled out across-the-board increases in social welfare and pension payments.
But he confirmed in Budget 2020 that the bonus would be paid again this year.
Meanwhile, the Dole for 25-year-olds will go up to the full rate of €203 from January, it’s been confirmed.
The discounted €157.80 rate for 25-year-old jobseekers will be discontinued, and they’ll get an increase of €42.50 in their weekly payment from January 6.
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