Thousands of Irish people will receive a major social welfare boost in the coming days as part of the cost of living package announced in Budget 2023.
The news will be a welcomed relief to those struggling with the current cost of living crisis.
Two once-off payments to provide additional support have already been paid, including an extra social welfare payment and child allowance payment earlier this month.
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However, four more payments will be made on November 14.
These include Fuel Allowance, Working Family Payment, Living Alone Allowance, and Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension.
A lump sum of 500 for those receiving the Carer's Support Grant will also be paid on November 21.
Here is a full breakdown of the upcoming payments.
November 14: €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 receiving Disability Allowance; Invalidity Pension; Blind Pension.
November 21: €500 lump sum payment for those receiving Carer's Support Grant.
December 5: Double Christmas Bonus: This will benefit the same 1.4 million people expected to benefit from the Autumn Double Payment.
December 16: Additional payment for those on the SUSI grant
Fuel Allowance
A €400 Fuel Allowance lump sum will be paid on November 14 on top of the regular fuel allowance payments of €33 per week.
The boost will benefit 371,000 people.
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
Working Family Payment
The Working Family Payment is a weekly tax-free payment for workers who have children and are on low pay.
Working Family Payment recipients will receive a €500 lump sum on November 14.
People must be an employee to get this payment but cannot get it if they 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.
Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension; Blind Pension
A €500 lump sum for those in receipt of Disability Allowance; Invalidity Pension; Blind Pension will be paid on November 14.
The Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance given to those with a disability. You can receive this payment from 16 years old.
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
Living Alone Allowance
A €200 Living Alone Allowance will be paid on November 14 and will benefit 234,000 people.
The Living Alone Increase is given to those on social welfare payments who are living alone.
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.
Carer's Support Grant
A €500 lump sum payment for those in receipt of Carer's Support Grant will be paid on November 21.
The Carer's Support Grant is paid to carers annually by the Department of Social Protection and was formerly known as the Respite Care Grant.
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.
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