The Department of Social Protection has issued an update on Social Welfare payments over the festive period and into the New Year.
Banks and post offices are also closed on New Year's Day, meaning anyone who is set to receive a social welfare payment on January 1 will now see it land in their account on December 31.
All department offices, including Intreo Centres and Branch Offices, will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.
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There are also a new suite of payments coming on stream in the New Year. The full list of social welfare changes coming into effect from January are:
- €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments.. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate.
- €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent's Benefit.
- Weekly rates of Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for those under 12.
- Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after 1 December 2024
- The income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €60 a week regardless of family size
- Extend Carer's Benefit to people who are self-employed
- Carer's Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test
- €20 increase a month in Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Means test disregard for Fuel Allowance extended to those aged 66 and over - €524 (single person) and €1,048 (couple) meaning more people will qualify for this support
