Press release
Ministers Humphreys and McGrath announce details of 4 cost of living lump sum supports to be paid this week
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
- total of €325 million to be paid to 865,000 people
- older people, working families and people with disabilities to benefit
- €400 Fuel Allowance lump sum payment
- €500 cost of living payment to those in receipt of Working Family Payment
- €500 Disability Support Grant
- €200 payment to people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance
The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, and Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Michael McGrath, have today announced the details of 4 separate lump-sum payments which will be paid this week. The payments will benefit older people, working families and people with disabilities. In total over 865,000 people will benefit from this week’s cost of living payments.
The lump sum payments being paid this week are:
- a €500 Disability Support Grant will be paid to 216,000 people receiving Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension
- a €400 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment will be paid to over 370,000 households
- a €500 lump sum Working Family Payment will be paid to 44,000 families
- a €200 lump sum payment will be paid to the 234,000 people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance
Announcing the details today, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m deeply conscious of the cost of living challenges many people are facing right now. Energy prices are rising and the cost of the weekly shop has gone up. Government wants to help and that’s why the payments I am issuing this week will put money into the pockets of older people, working families and people with disabilities.
“This wide range of Lump Sum Payments will help to ease the burden on our most vulnerable over the Winter months. For example, a person with a disability who lives alone and receives the fuel allowance will receive an extra €1,100 into their account this week.
“This week’s targeted payments are in addition to the Double Child Benefit Payment and the Autumn Double Payment which have already been paid out in recent weeks to assist people with the cost of Living.
“In addition, from January, all weekly payments will be increased by €12 per week.”
Minister McGrath said:
“The lump sum payments being made this week are an integral part of the comprehensive Budget package to provide assistance to households in dealing with the rising cost of living.
“In framing the budget, our aim was to ensure the support being given would be delivered in a timely manner, would benefit every household in the State to some degree and be progressive in nature by supporting those on lower incomes by the greatest amount.
“These four payments, when combined with the first of three €200 energy credits which was paid earlier this month, as well as the additional weekly social protection and child benefit payments already administered, means that over €1.2 billion in assistance has been delivered to date.
“In the weeks ahead, a once off reduction in the student contribution fee and double payments to those eligible for SUSI maintenance grants will be made. In January, income tax reductions and weekly welfare increases will be applied. I believe the overall package of supports represents a tangible response to the substantial bills and expenses that households are currently facing.”
In addition to the series of lump-sum payments, Minister Humphreys also secured a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme – which will see up to 81,000 new households supported with their fuel cost for the first time – and across-the-board increases of €12 per week to all core payments. These measures will take effect in January 2023.
