Need to knowFrom social welfare lump sums to bill hikes
16:43, 04 Sep 2026Updated 17:28, 04 Sep 2026
Euro notes (stock)(Image: Boris_Zec via Getty Images)
September is here, and with it there are a number of money changes coming down the line. Bills are going up while social welfare deadlines loom – here’s everything you need to know.
Bill increase: Thousands of Irish households will see an annual increase in energy bills from next month.Pinergy has announced a price hike that will add €169 to annual bills for their customers.The latest change will result in a 7.6% increase to the typical household cost, coming into effect from the 14th of September. In a statement, Pinergy attributed the increase to “prolonged volatility and elevated pricing in wholesale energy markets caused by the continued conflict in the Middle-East”.Excise duty extended: The government are set to extend fuel excise cuts until February 2027.Earlier this year, there was an extension to the reduced excise on petrol and diesel, which was announced in April and is set to expire in July. It was extended until September, but it was announced last week that it will be extended further.In June the Government announced an extension of the temporary reductions to fuel excise and the National Oil Reserves Agency Levy (NORA) and to avoid any cliff edge removal of supports, it set out a pathway to gradually restore rates to pre-reduction levels, starting from September 1. However, the rates will now gradually be restored from November to February.Childcare subsidy changes: From this month, the income thresholds used to calculate Income Assessed subsidies will increase along with the Multiple Child Discount.The changes will see the families of 47,000 children receive an increase in their childcare subsidies, RSVP Live reports.As part of the changes, the lower income threshold has increased from 26,000 euro to 34,000 euro, so families now earning 34,000 euro or less will be able to qualify for the maximum subsidy rate.The upper income threshold will increase from 60,000 euro to 68,000 euro, meaning that families now earning up to 68,000 euro will be able to avail of a higher income assessed rate.Fuel allowance starts: The 2026/27 Fuel Allowance start date is expected to be Monday, September 21, 2026 and will run until April 2, 2027.Those who qualify are eligible to receive €38 weekly across 28 weeks, or alternatively receive two lump sums adding up to €1,064.This year those who are entitled to the payment will receive a boost, as the weekly amount was bumped up from €33 to €38 in January 2026.Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance deadline: The payment began rolling out to those who automatically qualify on 13th July, though applications remain open for others who satisfy the eligibility criteria.There is a deadline to be aware of – applications must be submitted by 30th September at the latest.The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) is a payment to help families with the cost of school uniforms and shoes.
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