Press release
Minister Humphreys announces details of three cost of living lump sum supports being paid this week
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has today announced the details of three Cost of Living lump sum payments being paid this week.
These supports were introduced as part of Budget 2024 and are the first of a total of nine lump sum payments that will be paid between November 2023 and January 2024.
The Social Protection package in Budget 2024 is the largest in the history of the State and will assist pensioners, families, carers and people with disabilities with the Cost of Living through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.
The Lump-Sum payments being paid this week are:
People will receive the lump sum payments in addition to and on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.
The Minister made the announcement at Shed Fest - the first ever national conference held by the Men’s Sheds Association.
In relation to the lump sum payments, Minister Humphreys said:
“The government is conscious that the cost of living crisis continues to impact families the length and breadth of the country.
“This week, we are rolling out the first three of the lump sum payments that I secured as part of Budget 2024.
“This will see some 409,000 households in receipt of the fuel allowance receive a €300 lump sum.
“In addition, some 45,000 families that receive the Working Family Payment will get a lump sum of €400, and 214,000 people with disabilities will also receive a €400 lump sum payment.
“The payments being paid this week will be followed by 6 further lump sum payments over the coming weeks, including a €400 Carer’s Support Grant, a double Child Benefit payment, and Christmas and January double payments.
“This suite of lump sum payments means that people will have extra money in their pockets, which will ease the pressure and stress that many households are facing.”
In addition to the series of lump-sum payments, Minister Humphreys also secured across-the-board welfare increases of €12 per week from January 2024, and a range of targeted measures to take effect throughout 2024.
The full list of Budget 2024 Social Protection measures is available at www.gov.ie/DSPBudget24.
All the lump sum and double payments are automatically paid - people do not need to apply for them.
The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or the Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if a person qualifies for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
The Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare recipients with their winter heating costs.
The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two instalment payments; and is paid over the winter season (28 weeks from late September to April in the 2023/24 Fuel Allowance season).
In Budget 2023, a new Fuel Allowance means test was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The allowable means is now €500 per week (increasing to €512 per week from January 2024) for a single person and €1,000 per week (increasing to €1,024 per week from January 2024) for a couple.
The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. The payment was previously called Family Income Supplement.
In addition to the lump sum Working Family Payment announced today, Minister Humphreys has secured increases to the Working Family Payment income thresholds for all family sizes by €54 per week, from January 2024.