A double social welfare payment is due from this week with the government saying that 1.3 million people will benefit from the ‘January Bonus’.
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced details of the ‘January Bonus’, which is a double social welfare payment the government says “will support 1.3 million people with the Cost of Living.”
The Department of Social Protection has said that over the course of this week, “a Double Lump Sum Payment will be issued to the likes of our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and low income families.”
Announcing details of the €342 million package Minister Humphrys said, “Over the past two and a half years, this Government has rolled out unprecedented financial supports to help families and households to deal with the cost of living.
“And I’m pleased that this week, those supports will continue through the January Bonus.
“This will see a double lump sum weekly payment being made to support 1.3 million people – the likes of our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and low income families.
The Minister concluded, “This is about putting more money back into your pocket and recognising that families continue to feel the pinch, particularly after the Christmas period.”
The January Bonus is the ninth lump sum payment secured by Minister Humphreys under Budget 2024.
The bonus will be paid on the same basis as the Christmas Bonus and will include the core weekly rate increases that came into effect at the start of the year.
In order to be eligible for the bonus a 12 month duration on applicable social welfare payment or scheme is required with the department stressing that there is no need to apply to receive the payment.
It is estimated that 116,350 individuals in receipt of job’s seekers’ payment are eligible while 98,186 in receipt of the non-contributory pension will also benefit.
For the full list of social welfare recipients eligible for the bonus payment click here