Social welfare recipients are set to start receiving double payments sooner than expected after a pre-Christmas schedule shake-up.
With Christmas Day just a week away from Wednesday and banks and post offices shutting their doors for the holiday season, those on social welfare will be getting next week's payment in advance.
As banks and post offices will also remain closed on New Year's Day, anyone due to receive a social welfare payment on January 1st can expect it to hit their account a day earlier, on December 31st.
All department offices, including Intreo Centres and Branch Offices, will be closed on 25 and 26 December 2024 and 1 January 2025.
If you get a weekly social welfare payment, you will get your payment as usual during the week starting Monday 16 December 2024, and an advanced payment for the following week.
These dates apply if you are paid at your post office, by cheque or directly into your financial institution account.
The schedule changes for the next few days are below:
The schedule change will not affect Child Benefit payments, as it is due to be paid on Tuesday the 7th of January.
It comes as a number of social welfare changes are due to come into effect from the 1st of January, including payment increases.
The full list of payments that will receive an increase are:
State Pension (Contributory) State Pension (Non-Contributory) Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension Jobseeker's Benefit Jobseeker's Allowance One-parent Family Payment Health and Safety Benefit Farm Assist Deserted Wife's Benefit Deserted Wife's Allowance Supplementary Welfare Allowance Illness Benefit Invalidity Pension Disability Allowance Blind Pension Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme Carer's Benefit Carer's Allowance Guardian’s payment Child Support PaymentThe full list of Budget 2025 changes coming into effect from January includes:
Minimum wage rise of 80c Weekly social welfare increase of €12 Second €125 energy credit €420 for parents of newborns New vape tax €125 increase in personal tax credit €150 increase in home carer tax credit €150 increase in single person child carer tax credit €300 increase in incapacitated child tax credit €300 increase in blind person’s tax credit Reduced 9 per cent VAT on electricity and gas extended until April 30th, 2025Join Galway Beo's top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
