The Halloween long weekend just two weeks away, and those on social welfare are being reminded of an important date change.
Halloween is on Monday, October 31 this year, with the October bank holiday confirmed for the same date. This means that credit unions, post offices and Intreo centres are likely to be closed on bank holiday Monday.
So if you are collecting social welfare such as a pension or child benefit, here is what you need to know for the end of October.
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Post Office payment arrangements
If your pension payment is due to be paid at a post office on bank holiday Monday, you will instead be able to collect it early on Saturday, 29 October. Meanwhile recipients who get paid by cheque due on bank holiday Monday should also receive it on Saturday.
All post offices will be closed on bank holiday Monday 31 October and will then reopen as normal on Tuesday, 1 November.
Credit Union payments
Any welfare payments that are due to be paid into bank accounts or credit unions will be paid on Tuesday, November 1.
Child Benefit
Parents and guardians could receive their Child Benefit payment for November earlier than usual.
The stipend is usually paid on the first Tuesday of every month. But the upcoming Halloween bank holiday could see people receiving the benefit a few days early as the first Tuesday would fall on November 1.
It is possible that recipients could get the payment as early as Friday, October 29 or Saturday, October 30. Meanwhile, parents are also set to receive a one-off extra child benefit payment of €140 per child on top of their usual monthly payments.
As announced in Budget 2023, Child Benefit recipients will get €280 per child in November as part of a new package to help with the rising costs of living. Those who qualify for a Child Benefit payment are parents or guardians with kids below 16 years of age or between the ages of 16 and 17 who are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
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