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It’s one of the most expensive times of year and the Christmas bonus will be a welcome respite from the costs(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\nA nice bonus for those who are eligible<\/p>\n
10:19, 14 Nov 2025Updated 11:24, 14 Nov 2025<\/p>\n
It’s one of the most expensive times of year and the Christmas bonus will be a welcome respite from the costs(Image: Getty Images)<\/p>\n
A significant social welfare group is set to receive a double Christmas boost this year, with payments arriving earlier than anticipated.<\/p>\n
Finance Minister Jack Chambers and Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe<\/a> have announced a comprehensive package of supports as part of Budget 2026, which will benefit one and a half million recipients of social payments with a festive increase<\/a>.<\/p>\n Among the key measures is a Christmas Bonus<\/a>, due to be paid out to everyone receiving a qualifying social welfare payment.<\/p>\n Marks and Spencer’s \u20ac41 cardigan Christmas favourite with perfect 5-star rating<\/a>‘Most deadly’ H3N2 virus sweeping across Ireland as people asked to do one thing before December<\/a><\/p>\n It has been confirmed that one particular group of social welfare recipients will receive a double bonus this year, specifically those who qualify for two separate weekly payments.<\/p>\n For instance, a carer receiving both Carer’s Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance will receive two Christmas Bonuses.<\/p>\n The bonus will equate to 100 per cent of the usual weekly payment and is likely to be paid in the first week of December.<\/p>\n The payment will be made to nearly 1.5 million individuals, and those who are already receiving a social welfare payment will automatically receive the bonus with their usual payment – whether it’s collected at the Post Office counter or deposited into their bank account.<\/p>\n Here is the complete list of social welfare payments that qualify for the bonus:<\/p>\n Back to Education Allowance \u2013 individuals transitioning from jobseeker’s payments must have been receiving the Allowance for at least 12 months (312 days), but it may be possible to use your time on jobseeker’s payment to help you qualifyBack to Work Enterprise Allowance \u2013 individuals transitioning from jobseeker’s payments must have been receiving the Allowance for at least 12 months (312 days), but it may be possible to use your time on jobseeker’s payment to help you qualifyBack to Work Family DividendBenefit Payment for 65 Year OldsBlind 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)TusBereaved Partner’s Pension (Contributory) and (Non-Contributory)Work Placement Experience Programme (if your primary payment is a qualifying social welfare payment)<\/p>\n With social welfare offices closing over the festive period, two weekly payments will also be issued in the same week.<\/p>\n If you receive a weekly social welfare payment, you’ll receive your usual payment during the week commencing Monday, December 15, followed by an advance payment for the subsequent week.<\/p>\n This means that payments due between December 22 and 26 will not be made as they were issued the previous week.<\/p>\n And, mirroring last year, anyone due a January 1 payment can expect to receive it on December 31.<\/p>\n Galway Beo\u2019s top stories and breaking news service on WhatsApp.<\/p>\n