Social Welfare payments will depend on individual circumstances and may be means tested, however there a number of benefits introduced in the 2019 budget, which will benefit recipients of social welfare payments. Here are some of the changes introduced.

Increases in social welfare payments

The maximum rate of all weekly social welfare payments will increase by €5 per week with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment. This also applies to employment programmes such as Community Employment (CE), Tús and the Rural Social Scheme (from week beginning 25 March 2019).

People aged 25 and under who are getting a reduced rate of Jobseeker’s Allowance will get the full €5 increase (from week beginning 25 March 2019).

The weekly rate for a qualified child will increase by €2.20 from €31.80 to €34 for children under 12 years of age. It will increase by €5.20 from €31.80 to €37 for children aged 12 years and over (from week beginning 25 March 2019).

Christmas Bonus

A Christmas Bonus of 100% will be paid in December 2018 to people getting a long-term social welfare payment (minimum payment of €20). (December 2018)

Self-employed people

Jobseeker’s Benefit will be extended to self-employed people (late 2019).

Fuel Allowance

The Fuel Allowance season will be extended by 1 week, from 27 to 28 weeks. The extra week will apply to the current fuel season. 

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance will continue to be paid for 3 months in cases where the child being cared for has died.

Payments to people in direct provision

Daily Expenses Allowance (formerly called a Direct Provision Allowance) weekly rate will increase from €21.60 to €29.80 for children and €38.80 for adults.

To find out more, visit citizensinformation.ie call 0761 07 4000 or drop in to your local Citizens Information Centre.