There will be a change to the usual social welfare payment dates due to the upcoming bank holiday and recipients should be aware that they may receive certain payments early
There will be a change of dates for some social welfare payments in the coming weeks as a result of the St Brigid’s Day Bank Holiday(Image: Getty Images)
Social welfare recipients have been urged to make note of an upcoming change in the payment schedule.
The inaugural bank holiday of the year, St Brigid’s Day, is on the horizon and will fall on the first Monday in February.
As a result, banks and post offices will be shutting their doors on Monday, February 2 this year.
This means that those expecting a social welfare payment on February 2 are likely to receive it earlier than usual, to ensure that no one receives a late payment as a result of the banks being closed.
It’s expected that your payment will hit your account either on Friday, January 30 or Saturday, January 31.
Some social welfare recipients will receive their payments early in the coming weeks(Image: Getty Images)
Due to the bank holiday, Child Benefit recipients can also expect an early payment, likely on the Friday or Saturday. This measure is taken to prevent any late payments due to the closure of banks, reports RSVP Live.
Here’s the complete roster of bank and public holidays for 2026:
January 1 (New Year’s Day)February 2 (St Brigid’s Day bank holiday)March 17 (St Patrick’s Day)April 6 (Easter Monday)May 4 (May bank holiday)June 1 (June bank holiday)August 3 (August bank holiday)October 26 (October bank holiday)December 25 (Christmas Day 2026)December 26 (St Stephen’s Day 2026)
It’s worth noting that the St Brigid’s Day bank holiday was only established in 2023, so it’s easy to overlook its impact on payment schedules, and social welfare recipients are being urged not to get caught off guard.
In other news, this week sees thousands set to receive an increased Fuel Allowance payment. The Fuel Allowance is designed to assist with home heating costs during the chilly winter months and is granted to one individual per household.
Typically, the Fuel Allowance season kicks off in late September each year and wraps up in April, disbursed at €33 weekly for 28 weeks or in two lump sums totalling €924.
However, as of January, the weekly Fuel Allowance rate has seen a €5 boost to €38 per week, pushing the total over the €1,000 mark.
In addition to this, the Working Family Payment will now be considered a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance.
The rate hike is set to take effect from January, which means that the second lump sum, anticipated to be disbursed this week, will amount to €532.
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