Social welfare recipients are set for a cash boost in the coming weeks with six lump sum payments due.
Details were confirmed in Budget 2023 in a bid to help ease the pressure as the cost of living crisis continues.
Six lump sum payments are due to be paid to eligible people in November, while additional payments are also due in the coming months.
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From fuel allowance to child benefit, here's whats coming next month.
Fuel Allowance
The Fuel Allowance aims to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months, RSVP Live reports.
It was confirmed in Budget 2023 that there will be a €400 cash boost given to those who receive this payment in November.
Anyone getting a long-term social welfare payment may qualify for this payment
The payment season begins in late September each year and ends in April, with multiple options on how to receive it.
To get Fuel Allowance you must be living alone or with certain people, living in Ireland and getting one of the qualifying payments found here.
You must live alone or only with:
A dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and/or dependent children
A person who is getting Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and is caring for you or for your dependent spouse, partner or cohabitant on a full-time basis
A person getting short-term Jobseeker's Allowance or basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Other people who are getting the qualifying payments and who would also be eligible for a Fuel Allowance in their own right
You can find more about the payment here.
Disability Allowance
The Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance given to those with a disability. You can receive this payment from 16 years old.
A €500 lump sum payment will be paid to those receiving this payment in November.
You can qualify for the payment if you meet these criteria:
Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued for at least one year or is expected to continue for at least one year
Be substantially restricted because of your disability from doing work that would be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications
Be aged between 16 and 66.
Pass a means test – a means test looks at any income that you have – see ‘How your income is assessed for DA’ below
Live in Ireland and meet the habitual residence condition.
You can find out more about the payment here.
Living Alone Increase
The Living Alone Increase is given to those on social welfare payments who are living alone.
It was confirmed in the Budget announcement that people receiving this will get a once-off payment of €200 next month.
You can qualify for this payment, if you are 66 years or over and live alone and receive one of the following payments:
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Non-Contributory)
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
Deserted Wife's Benefit
You will also be deemed eligible if you are under 66, live alone and are getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
You can find more about the payment here.
Child Benefit
Child benefit is a monthly payment for parents and guardians who have children under 16 years of age.
A double payment will be sent to all qualifying families in November.
They can also receive this payment with children between the ages of 16 and 17 as long as they are in full-time education, full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
When babies are born in Ireland, their birth needs to be registered within three months. The Department of Social Protection will then start a Child Benefit claim for your child.
It should be noted that when your child turns 16, parents and guardians must reapply by filling in a Child Benefit form one month before your child’s 16th birthday.
This form must also be signed and officially stamped by:
The school or college, if your child is in full-time education or
The training organisation, if your child is in full-time training or
A doctor, if your child has a disability and is unable to financially support themselves
You can read more about this payment here.
Working Family Payment
The Working Family Payment is a weekly tax-free payment for workers who have children and are on low pay.
Those receiving this payment will get a €500 lump sum payment in November.
People must be an employee to get this payment, but you cannot get it if you are self-employed only.
Your average weekly family income must be under a certain amount for your family size.
The aim of the Working Family Payment is to provide 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and its income limit for your family size.
You can find out more about the payment here.
Carer's Support Grant
The Carer’s Support Grant is paid to carers once a year by the Department of Social Protection and was formerly known as the Respite Care Grant.
A €500 lump sum payment will be paid to those receiving this payment in November.
You are automatically paid the grant if you are getting Carer’s Allowance (both full rate and half-rate), Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance.
However, you can still qualify if you do not meet these criteria.
You can find out more about the payment here.
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