Rolling out this week – 160,000 Cork recipients to benefit
Euro notes in purse (stock)(Image: Getty Images)
The full details on the highly anticipated Christmas Bonus have been revealed as government have confirmed the sum is coming to 1.5m people across Ireland.
The scheme represents a one-off double week payment for those getting a long-term social welfare payment, valued at 100% of your weekly scheme. It’ll be a welcome boost for many families coming up to one of the most expensive times of year – and the good news is people don’t need to apply for the bonus to get it.
If you’re eligible, you’ll receive the Christmas Bonus automatically. In a new update, Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, confirmed the payment will be issued this week, coming on the same day social welfare recipients usually receive their primary payment.
The scheme will cost the state an estimated €370 million, and approximately 159,100 people in Cork will receive the payment. You can check out the full list of qualifying payments for the Christmas Bonus below. Those marked with an asterisk require that a recipient has been receiving payments for at least 12 months to qualify for the bonus.
Back to Education Allowance*Back to Work Enterprise AllowanceBack to Work Family DividendBeneficiary of Temporary Protection Weekly PaymentBlind PensionCarer’s AllowanceCarer’s BenefitCommunity EmploymentDaily Expenses Allowance *Deserted Wife’s AllowanceDeserted Wife’s BenefitDisability AllowanceDisablement BenefitDomiciliary Care AllowanceFarm AssistGuardian’s PaymentIllness Benefit *Invalidity PensionJob Initiative SchemeJobseeker’s Allowance *Jobseeker’s Transitional PaymentMagdalen Commission SchemeDeath Benefit Scheme (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)One-Parent Family PaymentPartial Capacity BenefitRural Social SchemeState Pension (Contributory)State Pension (Non-contributory)Supplementary Welfare Allowance (long-term)Tús (community work placement initiative)Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) PensionBereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) PensionWork Placement Experience Programme*
Minister Calleary said he was “very conscious” of the pressure families are under, adding that the payment will be a “vital support” in the run-up to Christmas.
He added: “The Christmas Bonus is a vital support, particularly for our senior citizens. That’s why I am pleased to announce the details of the Christmas Bonus Payments today. 1.5 million people will benefit including our pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and lone parents. People will receive their Bonus payment on the same day that they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment.
“As always, I would encourage people, where possible, to shop locally in the run-up to Christmas this year. By shopping locally, you are supporting your local economy, your local community and your local small businesses.”
The Christmas bonus isn’t the only positive cost-of-living news this month. Thousands of households can also expect a reduction in their electricity bills for the next months as a new change starts today. You can find out more here.