Next month will bring a payment date change for social welfare recipients and the final payment of a popular weekly scheme
Stock image(Image: Martins Rudzitis/Getty Images)
May is fast approaching and there are some cost of living and social welfare changes on the way.
Next month will bring a payment date change for social welfare recipients and the final payment of a popular weekly scheme. Here’s everything you need to know coming up next month.
May Bank Holiday
Some social welfare recipients can expect to get payments early in May due to the bank holiday weekend. Banks and post offices will be closed on Monday, May 4, meaning payments due that day will instead be paid on the prior Friday or Saturday.
Fuel Allowance
The Fuel Allowance will end on May 1 following an extension due to rising energy costs as a result of the conflict in the Middle East. The Fuel Allowance season normally begins in late September of each year and ends in April. The 2025/2026 Fuel Allowance season started on Monday, 22 September 2025 and it is paid for 28 weeks.
The scheme has now been extended until May 1 due to the recent increases in fuel costs. The Fuel Allowance is worth €38 per week, so the extension is worth a total of €152 for eligible households.
Carbon Tax
Following major protests over the fuel crisis last week, the Government have postponed a scheduled increase of the carbon tax rate which was due to come into May until the Budget in October.
June changes
Looking ahead to June, there will be a payment date change due to the June bank holiday. The annual Carer’s Support Grant will be paid on June 4 and applications will open for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.
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