![\"Stock](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/0_GettyImages-1451793224.jpg\")
Stock image(Image: Getty)<\/p>\nThere are multiple social welfare changes to note for December and JanuaryStock image(Image: Getty)<\/p>\n
December is right around the corner and it’s often the most expensive month of the year for households across the country.<\/p>\n
There are two important notices for social welfare<\/a> recipients to take note of for next month – a bonus payment <\/a>and a schedule change. Looking ahead to January, multiple social welfare changes that were announced in the Budget<\/a> will kick in.<\/p>\n Here are the social welfare notices for December and January:<\/p>\n Christmas Bonus<\/p>\n The return of the Christmas bonus was confirmed<\/a> during last month’s Budget 2026 announcement. The payment will be issued to 1.5 million long-term social welfare recipients.<\/p>\n It will be paid at the the usual rate of 100 per cent of the weekly payment at a cost of \u20ac370 million. While the Department of Social Protection are yet to confirm the exact date, the Christmas<\/a> Bonus is usually issued during the first week of December.<\/p>\n It is expected that those eligible for the double payment will receive it during the week starting December 1.<\/p>\n Social welfare date changes<\/p>\n Due to post office and bank closures during Christmas week, some social welfare recipients will receive payments that are due during Christmas week early. The exact payment schedule has yet to be confirmed but it is expected the payments will be issued the week prior to Christmas.<\/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 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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