A number of social welfare payments are set to receive weekly rate increases from January 2026, with the rises announced as part of Budget 2026
Several euro notes
A number of social welfare payments will see a weekly rate increase from January 2026.
This rise was unveiled as part of Budget 2026 and is set to take effect in just a few days.
Here are all the social welfare schemes that will be boosted by €10 per week:
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, a monthly payment, is due to rise by €20 per month.
The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that certain social welfare schemes will undergo hikes from January 2026(Image: Getty Images)
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 jump from €50 to €58, while the half rate will rise from €25 to €29, reports RSVP Live.
For children aged 12 and over, the full rate will climb from €62 to €78 per week, and the half rate will go up from €31 to €39.
The weekly rate for the Fuel Allowance will also be increased, rising from €33 to €38.
This comes as over a million people recently received the Christmas bonus.
A Christmas Bonus is awarded to individuals receiving long-term social welfare payments.
You are eligible for a Christmas Bonus if you are receiving:
Back to Education Allowance – people coming from jobseeker’s payments need to be getting the Allowance for at least 12 months (312 days), but you may be able to use your time on your jobseeker’s payment to help you qualify.Back to Work Enterprise Allowance – people coming from jobseeker’s payments need to be getting the Allowance for at least 12 months (312 days), but you may be able to use time on jobseeker’s payment to help you qualifyBack to Work Family DividendBenefit Payment for 65 Year OldsBeneficiary of Temporary Protection Weekly PaymentBereaved Partner’s Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)Blind PensionCarer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit (including half-rate Carer’s Allowance)Community EmploymentDeserted Wife’s Allowance and Deserted Wife’s BenefitDaily Expenses Allowance for 12 months or moreDisability AllowanceDisablement BenefitDomiciliary Care AllowanceFarm AssistGuardian’s Payment (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)Illness Benefit for 12 months or moreInvalidity PensionJob Initiative SchemeJobseeker’s Allowance for 12 months (312 days or more)Jobseeker’s Transitional paymentMagdalene Commission SchemeDeath Benefit Scheme (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)One-Parent Family PaymentPartial Capacity BenefitRural Social SchemeState Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Non-Contributory)Supplementary Welfare Allowance for 12 months (364 days or more)TúsWork Placement Experience Programme (if your primary payment is a qualifying social welfare payment)
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