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Irish Mirror

National

Sophie Collins & Eithne Dodd

Social welfare Ireland: Thousands of households in for six additional payments in November

Ireland House (Facility) Disability

Thousands of people receiving social welfare payments in Ireland are due an additional boost from November 1.

From this date, a number of lump sums and once-off increases will be seen in line with Budget 2023 announcements to help those struggling amid the current cost of living crisis.

The first payment will come through on Tuesday in the form of a double Child Benefit payment, and will be followed two weeks later by four additional social welfare payment boosts.

The full list of social welfare payments due next month are:

Double Child Benefit. This will benefit 639,000 families in respect of 1.2 million children - November 1
€400 Fuel Allowance lump sum. This will benefit 371,000 people - November 14
Working Family Payment recipients to receive a €500 lump sum - November 14
€200 Living Alone Allowance. This will benefit 234,000 people - November 14
€500 lump sum for those in receipt of: Disability Allowance; Invalidity Pension; Blind Pension - November 14
€500 lump sum payment for those in receipt of Carer's Support Grant - November 21

In December, households in Ireland can expect more assistance from the government in the form of:

Double Christmas Bonus: This will benefit the same 1.4 million people expected to benefit from the Autumn Double Payment - December 5
Additional payment for those on SUSI grant - December 16

If you’re wondering if you are eligible for any of the listed payments, here’s what you need to know:

Child Benefit

Child benefit is a monthly payment for parents and guardians who have children under 16.

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.

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

For more information, click 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 per cent of the difference between your average weekly family income and its income limit for your family size.

For more information, click here.

Fuel Allowance

Pensioners will be paid a €400 cost of living fuel allowance lump sum on 14 November. The payment will be on top of the regular fuel allowance payments of €33 per week.

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

For more information, click here.

Disabilty 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
Live in Ireland

For more information, click 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 in November.

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 or non-contributory
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory or 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.

For more information, click here.

Carer’s Allowance

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, Carer’s Benefit or Domiciliary Care Allowance.