Christmas Bonus and double social welfare and child benefit ...

Both the Christmas Bonus and the double Child Benefit Payment promised in Budget 2025 are to be paid into bank accounts of eligible recipients this week.

The confirmation came from Minister for Social Housing, Heather Humphreys TD, with 1.38 million people across Ireland due to receive the Christmas Bonus payment, which is a 100 per cent increase in the weekly rate of payment for eligible recipients.

Those who are deemed eligible include those receiving Jobseekers’ Allowance, pensioners, people with disabilities, carers and lone parents.

Those who have been in receipt of Illness Benefit for more than 12 months are also set to receive the payment, as has been the case for a number of years.

Meanwhile, the Christmas bonus payment of double social welfare will arrive in bank accounts this week on the same day a claimant collects their primary payment. Up to 676,000 families are expected to receive that payment on Tuesday, 3 December.

Whilst Child Benefit is usually a monthly sum of €140 for each child, the payment for both November and December was doubled to €280 per child.

“This week, we are rolling out more lump sum payments that I secured as part of Budget 2025,” Minister Heather Humphreys said.

“Throughout the week some 1.4 million people will receive the Christmas Bonus payment. This will support people up and down the country including pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and working families,” she said.

“In addition to the Christmas Bonus, on Tuesday we will have the second of our double Child Benefit payments that will support over 1.27 million children across the State. This means that families will receive payments of €280 per child tomorrow.”