Households across Ireland are in for a number of cash boosts following the Budget 2024 announcement.
On Tuesday, the Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, announced the payment dates for a €1.2 billion Cost of Living support package.
Families are among the many people set to benefit from the incoming boost as part of the largest Social Protection Package in the history of the State.
As a whole, this is due to assist pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, and families with the Cost of Living.
A total of nine lump sum payments are due to be paid between November 2023 and January 2024.
Here’s everything you need to know
On the week commencing November 20th, a €400 lump sum Working Family Payment will be paid to 46,000 families.
During the same week, a €300 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment will be paid to 409,000 households.
As well as the aforementioned payments, a €400 Disability Support Grant will be paid to people with disabilities.
Next up, in the week commencing November 27th, a €400 Carer’s Support Grant will be provided to the country’s carers (a person who qualifies for both the Disability and the Carer’s Support Grant will receive one bonus payment of €400).
During the same week, there will be a €200 lump sum payment to 237,000 people who are in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance.
There will also be a €100 cost of living lump sum payment per child for people receiving an Increase for a Qualified Child on their social welfare payment.
A Christmas Bonus Double Payment will be paid in the week commencing December 4th to over 1.3 million people.
A doubling of Child Benefit on December 5th will support 650,000 families in respect of 1.2 million children.
A January Double Payment will be paid in the week commencing 29th January 2024, benefitting over 1.3 million people.
Speaking about the details today, Minister Humphreys said: “I know a lot of people are genuinely struggling to make ends meets at the moment. In order to ease the pressure and stress that many households are facing, I am bringing forward this series of nine lump sum payments to support people.
“These payments, totalling over €1.2 Billion, will support our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and families over the coming months.
“The payment schedule I am announcing today is designed to give people certainty and some peace of mind so they know exactly when these supports will be made to them.
“Budget 2024 represents the largest social protection budget package in the history of the State.
“The mix of lump-sum payments to support people over the winter months, together with the increases in weekly rates and range of targeted measures is designed to help people through the current cost of living challenges we are facing.”
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