Long term recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment will also receive this year's bonus.
The Minister for Social Protection has confirmed that around 1.4 million people who are receiving social welfare will receive a Christmas bonus this year.
A 100% Christmas bonus is set to be paid to pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and long-term social welfare recipients, costing the state €313 million.
Payments are set to be issued to eligible bank accounts and post offices next week (starting 6 December), with a minimum payment of €20 available.
The Christmas bonus will also apply to those who have been on the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or on Jobseekers for the past 12 months.
If you have been moved from the PUP to the Jobseekers scheme recently, your time on the PUP will count towards the 12 month requirement.
“Christmas is a special time of the year but it can be a particularly expensive period for individuals and families," said Minister Heather Humphreys, announcing the bonus.
“Therefore, I’m really pleased to announce that a 100% Christmas Bonus will once again be paid this year, benefitting almost 1.4 million people.
“The Bonus will be paid into people’s accounts beginning next week – providing an additional support to the likes of our pensioners, carers, lone parents, people on disabilities and people on a long-term jobseeker’s payment.
“As a former Minister for Business, I know that our retail community are still feeling the impact of Covid-19.
“This past two years has been so difficult for our small and medium businesses. I am therefore urging everyone to consider spending the Christmas Bonus locally this year.
“If we keep our business in our towns, we will keep our towns in business.”
People receiving the following payments will receive the bonus:
- State Pensions and Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions
- Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Guardian’s payments
- One-Parent Family Payment, Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, Long-term Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Jobseeker’s Transition Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance and Farm Assist
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS, Gateway and Job Initiative, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Daily Expenses Allowance, Magdalene Commission Scheme.
