As the cost of living crisis sweeps across Irish households, the government has announced a number of supports to aid in the crisis.
This week will welcome three supports being paid out to recipients of social welfare.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the details of three Cost of Living lump sum payments being paid this week.
These supports were introduced as part of Budget 2024 and are the first of a total of nine lump sum payments that will be paid between November 2023 and January 2024.
The payments being paid this week are as follows:
- Some 409,000 households to get €300 Fuel allowance lump sum payment
- 214,000 people with disabilities to receive €400 Disability Support Grant
- 45,000 Working Families to get €400 lump sum payment
People need not apply for the extra payments. These will be automatically paid to recipients when they collect their payments as normal.
The Social Protection package in Budget 2024 is the largest in the history of the State and will assist pensioners, families, carers, and people with disabilities with the Cost of Living through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.
In relation to the lump sum payments, Minister Humphreys said:
“The payments being paid this week will be followed by 6 further lump sum payments over the coming weeks, including a €400 Carer’s Support Grant, a double Child Benefit payment, and Christmas and January double payments.
“This suite of lump sum payments means that people will have extra money in their pockets, which will ease the pressure and stress that many households are facing.”
Social welfare increases of €12 per week are also being welcomed from January 2024.
Outside of the social welfare system, it was announced in Budget 2024 that domestic electricity customers would get €450 credit to help reduce electricity bills.
The credit will be in 3 installments of €150. The first payment will be made in December 2023. The second electricity credit will be made from January 2024. The third will be made from March 2024.
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