The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that certain social welfare schemes will undergo hikes from January 2026
12:47, 09 Nov 2025Updated 12:51, 09 Nov 2025
Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary (Chris J. Ratcliffe/Bloomberg via Getty Images(
The full list of social welfare payments set to receive a weekly increase of up to €10 has been revealed.
This follows the confirmation in Budget 2026 that certain social welfare schemes will see increases from January 2026. However, the Department of Social Protection clarified that not all schemes will be affected, only those announced as part of the Budget, reports RSVP Live.
Here are all the social welfare schemes set for a €10 per week increase:
State Pension (Contributory)State Pension (Non-Contributory)Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) PensionBereaved Partner’s (Non-Contributory) PensionJobseeker’s BenefitJobseeker’s AllowanceOne-Parent Family PaymentMaternity BenefitAdoptive BenefitPaternity BenefitParent’s BenefitHealth and Safety BenefitFarm AssistDeserted Wife’s BenefitDeserted Wife’s AllowanceSupplementary Welfare AllowanceIllness BenefitInvalidity PensionDisability AllowanceBlind PensionInjury BenefitDisablement BenefitDeath Benefit SchemeCarer’s BenefitCarer’s AllowanceGuardian’s payment
The Domiciliary Care Allowance, which is a monthly payment, is also set to see an increase by €20 per month.
The Child Support Payment, formerly known as Increase for a Qualified Child, will also see an increase. The full weekly rate for children under 12 will rise from €50 to €58, while the half rate will go from €25 to €29.
For children aged 12 and over, the full rate will increase from €62 to €78 per week, with the half rate increasing from €31 to €39. The weekly rate for the Fuel Allowance is set to see a rise, increasing from €33 to €38.
However, several social welfare schemes have been entirely overlooked in these increases. The current weekly rate for the Living Alone Increase stands at €22 and this will remain unchanged in 2026.
For those residing on islands who may incur additional costs travelling to the mainland for services, they could be eligible for the Island Increase (specified offshore islands). In 2025, the weekly rate is €20, a figure that has remained static since January 2021.
The Bereaved Parent Grant, a one-time payment of €8,000, can be directly deposited into your account at a financial institution. This rate will remain constant next year.
Child Benefit, a monthly payment made to qualifying parents or guardians, is currently valued at €140 a month and will maintain the same rate in 2026.
The Carer’s Support Grant, paid annually to carers by the Department of Social Protection, is worth €2,000 per year and will also remain the same next year.
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