SOME 1.3 million Irish people could receive their social welfare payment early in just a few weeks.
There will be two weeks over the festive season where dates for the cash will be changed – and people have been urged to make sure they’re caught up on all of the switches during the expensive time.
And the shake-up will affect both those receives a social welfare payment and people who are cashing in on the double Christmas cash.
The switch in payment dates applies to those who receive the money at post offices, by cheque or directly into their financial institution account.
And the first date to keep on calendar is in just over three weeks, December 16.
The Department of Social Protection explained: “If you get a social welfare payment, the date which you receive your payment may change during the Christmas and New Year period.
“If you receive a weekly social welfare payment, you will get your payment as usual during the week commencing Monday 16 December, and an advanced payment for the following week.
“This applies to payments made at post offices, by cheque or directly into your financial institution account.”
It has been confirmed that there will be no change to any payments made on December 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20.
However, payments that were due to appear in accounts on December 23, 24, 25, 26 or 27 will now be paid out on December 16.
Those expecting to receive the cash on those dates can now anticipate receiving double what they were expecting on that date.
Additionally, anyone with a payment scheduled for January 1st, when we are scheduled to ring in 2025, will now receive the money one day early on December 31st.
Those who are claiming on a casual basis, where dockets have been provided in advance, will also see some changes to the schedule.
The Department of Social Protection confirmed that two payments of Jobseeker’s Allowance will be paid out in one double instalment on December 20.
BUDGET 2025 MEASURES – WHAT DOES IT DO FOR YOU?
ONE-OFF PAYMENTS:
- €250 electricity credits – 2 x €125 with one paid in 2024 and one in 2025
- Double week for all long-term weekly social welfare recipients in October
- €300 Fuel Allowance lump sum in November
- €200 Living Alone Allowance lump sum this winter
- Double month of Child Benefit in November AND December
- €400 Working Family Payment lump sum this winter
- €100 Qualified Child Increment lump sum this winter
- Social welfare Christmas bonus in first week of December
- €400 lump sum to selected welfare categories this winter
- Double payment of Foster Care Allowance in December
TAX MEASURES:
- €125 Increase in the Main Tax Credits
- €2,000 Increase in the Standard Rate Cut-off Point
- €150 Increase in the Home Carer Tax Credit
- €150 Increase in the Single Child Carer Credit
- €300 Increase in the Incapacitated Child Tax Credit
- €300 Increase in the Blind person Credit
- Reduction in the four per cent USC rate to three per cent
- Increase in the Rent Tax Credit from €750 to €1,000
- Increase in the Excise Duty and VAT on a pack of cigarettes by €1 – bringing price to €18.05
- VAT on Heat Pumps decreased to nine per cent
- Sea-going Naval Personnel Tax credit extension
This is instead of payments which were set to land into accounts on December 17 and December 24.
And those who were due to receive Jobseeker’s Benefit on December 18th and December 25th will instead see the cash paid into their accounts all at once on December 20th.
The Department of Social Protection added: “Normal payment arrangements for week ending December 31 and January 1 will resume on Tuesday, 7 January 2025.
“Illness Benefit customers: please continue to send in your ‘Certificate of Incapacity for Work’ over the Christmas and New Year period.”
Meanwhile, a 100 per cent Christmas Bonus will be paid in the week beginning on December 2.
This excludes Casual Jobseeker’s, who will be paid in the week beginning on December 9 2024.
The Department of Social Protection said: “Please note a minimum bonus amount of €20 will be paid.”
