Almost half a million people could be in line for a double payment soon as the Government considers a one-off double payment of the €35-a-month Household Benefit Package.
The payment is being discussed as part of a range of cost-of-living measures to tackle rising inflation.
The Household Benefits Package (HBP) is paid to 484,000 people and helps with the cost of your electricity or gas bill and the TV licence. Only one person in a household can get the Package.
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The payment of €35 a month is given to all those aged over 70 but can only be claimed by one person per household.
The payment is also available to anyone aged between 66 and 70 who is in receipt of the state pension or the widow/widowers/surviving partner pension.
Those under 66 who are in receipt of the carer's allowance or a disability allowance are also eligible for the payment.
The Government is currently examining whether or not the double payment of the HBP could provide better universal benefits than making changes to the fuel allowance.
Also being considered in the run up to Budget 2023 is the increase in welfare rates.
The Government are discussing a potential €15 hike in pension and welfare payments.
This comes as one of the biggest reductions in income tax in almost a decade is to be introduced in this year's Budget .
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe published the Tax Strategy Group papers on Thursday, which stated plans to be examined by the Government during the last month of budget negotiations.
Among the recommendations is a €15 increase across the board on social welfare payments and introducing a new tax band that could save one million workers up to €1,000 a year.
All of the social welfare packages outlined in the Tax Strategy Group papers include a double-digit increase in weekly payments ranging from €10 to €15.
And a double payment of all welfare rates after the Budget is announced, including the pensions, jobseeker, carer and disability allowances, is expected.
This will be in addition to a double payment at Christmas time.
A once-off double payment of the monthly €140 child benefit sum is also being considered as part of a cost-of-living package.
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