The festive season has brought a lot of changes to the social welfare schedule due to banks and post offices being closed
Stock photo(Image: Getty)
Some social welfare recipients will receive their payments early due to New Year’s Day.
The festive season has brought a lot of changes to the social welfare schedule due to banks and post offices being closed. Payments due on the December 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26 were issued during the week beginning December 15.
Due to the closure of banks and post offices on New Year’s Day, payments due on January 1 will instead be paid on December 31. Meanwhile, a number of social welfare changes are on the way in January.
From January 2026, the maximum rate of most weekly social welfare payments will increase by €10. There will be proportional increases for an adult dependant and people on reduced rates of payment.
The Child Support Payment weekly rate will increase by €8, from €50 to €58, for children under 12 and €16, from €62 to €78, for children aged 12 and over Working Family Payment income limits will increase by €60 a week for all family sizes.
Fuel Allowance will increase by €5 to €38 per week from January. If you are getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension you will be eligible for Back to Work Family Dividend if you take up employment.
Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by €20, from €360 to €380 per month. In March 2026, the Working Family Payment will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. The payment will be backdated to January 2026 if you meet the qualifying conditions.
Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content.
We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
