There will be a number of cost of living updates and money changes coming into effect in the coming weeks – here’s the full rundown for you
A number of changes to social welfare payments are set to take effect next month(Image: Getty Images)
A raft of social welfare changes are set to take effect next month.
Recipients of the Working Family Payment have reason to celebrate, while a key date alteration is also on the horizon for welfare claimants.
Here’s a comprehensive rundown of all the changes to social welfare payments taking effect from March 2026:
Early payment due to St Patrick’s Day
Social welfare payments scheduled for the St Patrick’s Day bank holiday on Tuesday, 17 March, will arrive ahead of schedule, with funds expected to land in accounts by Monday, 16 March, reports Dublin Live.
St Patrick’s Day is a public holiday, meaning banks and post offices will be shut on on Tuesday, March 17.
A number of money changes and cost of living updates will be taking effect over the coming weeks(Image: Getty Images)
This means that those expecting to receive their social welfare payment on March 17 will likely receive it early. It’s expected that your payment will arrive in your account a few days ahead of schedule, either on Friday, March 13 or Monday, March 16.
As this public holiday lands mid-month, Child Benefit recipients won’t be affected since Child Benefit is disbursed on the first Tuesday of each month – in this instance, Tuesday, March
Working Family Payment
From March 2026, the Working Family Payment will qualify as an eligible payment for Fuel Allowance. Should you satisfy the necessary criteria, the payment will be backdated to January 2026.
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children. It supports people who are on low pay. WFP used to be called Family Income Supplement (FIS).
You must be an employee to get WFP. You cannot get it if you are self-employed only.
You must have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially. Your child must be under 18 (or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education).
To get WFP, your average weekly family income must be under a certain amount for your family size. The WFP payment you get is 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and the WFP income limit for your family size. For more information, see ‘Rate of Working Family Payment’ below.
Looking ahead to April
Fuel Allowance claimants should be aware that the concluding instalment of the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season is due during the week commencing April 6. Payments will then restart towards the end of September.
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