There are six social welfare schemes that are excluded from the upcoming payment hikes, totalling €780 a year.
It was confirmed in Budget 2025 that certain payments will get an additional €15 a week, while others will get €12. All of the increases confirmed will come into effect starting from 1 January 2025.
It was decided that the maximum weekly rate of Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Paternity Benefit and Parent’s Benefit will increase by €15, while all other weekly social welfare payments will increase by €12 with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment. However, the payments listed below will not be increased at all:
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
Child Benefit
Fuel Allowance
Living Alone Increase
Island Increase
Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant
Here is how to qualify for the schemes getting the €780 a year boost:
Maternity BenefitMaternity Benefit is a payment made to women who are on maternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). To get Maternity Benefit, you must have:
Enough PRSI (social insurance) contributions
Certified maternity leave
The current standard weekly rate for Maternity Benefit is €274.
Adoptive BenefitAdoptive Benefit is a payment made to a parent who is on adoptive leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). To get Adoptive Benefit, you must:
Have enough PRSI (social insurance) contributions
Have certified adoptive leave from work if you are an employee
Provide a Certificate of Placement (for domestic adoption) or Declaration of Suitability (for intercountry adoption)
The current standard weekly rate for Adoptive Benefit is €274.
Paternity BenefitPaternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed people who are on paternity leave from work and covered by social insurance (PRSI). To get Paternity Benefit, you must have:
Enough PRSI (social insurance) contributions
Certified paternity leave
Parent's BenefitParent’s Benefit and parent’s leave are for parents in the first 2 years after their child’s birth or adoption. Parent’s Benefit is paid while you are on parent’s leave from work if you have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions.
Each parent can get parent’s leave and Parent’s Benefit. You must notify your employer that you intend to take parent’s leave and of your intended dates no later than 6 weeks before your leave. You then apply for Parent’s Benefit at least 4 weeks before the date you start your parent’s leave.
If you are self-employed you should apply for Parent's Benefit 6 weeks before you intend to take parent’s leave. You need your child’s PPS number to apply for Parent’s Benefit.
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