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Stock image(Image: Getty)<\/p>\nSocial welfare increases, changes to eligibility for some schemes and an extra payment are due in the coming weeksStock image(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
Multiple social welfare increases and an extra payment are due<\/a> in the coming weeks.<\/p>\n The changes were announced<\/a> in Budget 2026 last month. They include payment increases and various eligibility changes, as well as the return of the Christmas Bonus.<\/a><\/p>\n Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming changes:<\/p>\n Social welfare payment increases<\/p>\n All universal social welfare payments, including the state pension and jobseekers, were increased by \u20ac10 per week<\/a> in the Budget. This will be implemented on January 1.<\/p>\n Christmas Bonus<\/p>\n As expected, the Christmas<\/a> Bonus for 1.5 million long-term social welfare recipients will be paid again this year. It will be the usual rate of 100 per cent of the weekly payment. It is expected that this will be issued during the first week in December.<\/p>\n Working Family Payment<\/p>\n The income threshold for the Working Family Payment will increase by \u20ac60 a week for all families starting January 2026. Those receiving the Working Family Payment will also qualify for the Fuel Allowance from March 2026 and this will be backdated to January 2026.<\/p>\n Carers<\/p>\n From January 2026, the maximum weekly personal rate of Carer\u2019s Allowance will increase by \u20ac10.<\/p>\n From January 2026, the Child Support Payment will increase:<\/p>\n From July 2026, the weekly income disregard for Carer\u2019s Allowance will increase by \u20ac375 to \u20ac1,000 for a single person, and by \u20ac750 to \u20ac2,000 for a couple.<\/p>\n Child Support Payment<\/p>\n In January 2026, the Child Support Payment will increase:<\/p>\n Fuel Allowance<\/p>\n From January 2026, the weekly rate of Fuel Allowance will rise by \u20ac5 to \u20ac38 per week.<\/p>\n The Working Family Payment will become a qualifying payment for the Fuel Allowance from March 2026. Payment for people who meet the conditions of the scheme will be backdated to January 2026.<\/p>\n From September 2026, people moving from Disability Allowance or Blind Pension to take up work will keep their Fuel Allowance for 5 years.<\/p>\n Domiciliary Care Allowance<\/p>\n In January 2026, Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by \u20ac20 from \u20ac360 to \u20ac380 per month.<\/p>\n Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click<\/strong> this link<\/strong> <\/a>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\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you\u2019re curious, you can read our<\/strong> Privacy Notice<\/strong><\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n
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