Social welfare recipients should be aware that the Department of Social Protection has made changes to the usual payment schedule over the upcoming festive period
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The Department of Social Protection has confirmed new social welfare payment dates for the Christmas and New Year period.
Social welfare recipients should be aware that a shake-up to the payment schedule is on the way.
Christmas and New Year’s are coming up next month, meaning banks and post offices will be closed for a number of days around the festive season.
Due to the closures over the Christmas week, some social welfare recipients will receive payments that are due during Christmas week early.
Generally, social welfare recipients receive a double payment the week before Christmas to account for the fact that banks and post offices will be closed the following week.
There will be another shake-up ahead of January 1st, as banks and post offices are also closed on New Year’s Day.
In a statement on Gov.ie, the Department of Social Protection wrote: “If you receive a weekly social welfare payment, you will get your payment as usual during the week commencing Monday 15 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.”
If you are on a jobseeker’s casual or part-time payment, you need to provide dockets in advance, as advised, to ensure your payment continues over the Christmas period. If you are getting income support from the Department of Social Protection you should let us know of your absence in advance of travel, you can do this by visiting your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
They have also shared the details of the opening hours and contact details for Intreo Centres, PPSN Centres and PSC Centres over the festive period.
Christmas opening hours for Intreo Centres, PPSN Centres and PSC Centres are as follows:
You can contact them on the numbers below from 10am-4pm every day except for Thursday 25 December, Friday 26 December and Thursday 1 January. Normal phoneline hours will resume on Friday, 2 January.
By phone at: 0818 405 060 0818 607 080 (Community Welfare Services)
By e-mail at: info@welfare.ie Where a walk-in Public Service Card Service is in operation, this service will be available until 12:00 p.m. on 24 December. Walk-in availability may be reduced over the remainder of the Christmas period.
The quickest and easiest way to apply for income supports is online at: www.MyWelfare.ie
