Important notice
This page includes information on Budget measures introduced in 2024. Budget 2025 will be announced on 1 October 2024.
This page includes information on Budget measures introduced in 2024. Budget 2025 will be announced on 1 October 2024.
The largest social welfare package in the history of the State will provide almost €2.3 billion in a package of measures to assist households with the cost of living.
Following the Budget 2024 announcement there may be an increase in fraudulent texts or calls asking people to register for the lump sums and double payments. If you are entitled to a lump sum or double payment, these will be automatically paid and you do not need to apply for it. Read more on our alert on scam phone calls and scam text messages
- €300 cost of living lump sum to all households getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid week commencing 20 November 2023
- €200 cost of living lump sum for pensioners and people with a disability getting the Living Alone Increase to be paid week commencing 27 November 2023
- €400 cost of living lump sum to all families getting the Working Family Payment to be paid week commencing 20 November 2023
- double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children to be paid on 5 December 2023
- €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting Carer's Support Grant * to be paid week commencing 27 November 2023
- €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting Disability Allowance , Blind Pension , Invalidity Pension * to be paid week commencing 20 November 2023
- €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child) to be paid week commencing 27 November 2023
(If you are getting Illness Benefit for a year and have an increase for a qualified child, you may qualify for the €100 lump sum payment)
- the Christmas Bonus will be paid to 1.3 million welfare recipients including pensioners, carers and people with disabilities week commencing 4 December 2023
- January cost of living bonus will be paid to most people who get a long-term weekly social welfare payment including all pensioners, carers and people on disability payments week commencing 29 January 2024
Please note
* The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
* The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
- €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of all state pensions from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate
- €300 cost of living lump sum Fuel Allowance payment for those getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
- €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase
- Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
- January cost of living bonus for pensioners to be paid in 2024
- €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
- weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
- €400 cost of living lump sum paid to all families getting the Working Family Payment
- €100 cost of living lump sum for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child)
- the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024
- double payment of Child Benefit to support all families to be paid in December 2023
- extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education, from September 2024
- extend the Hot School Meals on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools who applied as part of the expression of interest
- extend Parent's Benefit from 7 weeks to 9 weeks in August 2024
- Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
- January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment to be paid in 2024
- €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
- weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
- €400 cost of living lump sum paid to all families getting the Working Family Payment
- double payment of Child Benefit to support all families to be paid in December 2023
- extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education, from September 2024
- extend the Hot School Meals on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools who applied as part of the expression of interest
- the income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024
- €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child)
- Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
- January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment to be paid in 2024
- increase in the Carer's Allowance income disregard to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple
- €400 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting Carer's Support Grant *
- €12 increase in the maximum rate of the Carer's Allowance and Carer's Benefit. from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate
- $4 increase in weekly rates of qualified child payments in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
- €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child (to be paid per qualified child)
- Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
- January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment to be paid in 2024
- provide additional funds to include provision for the Free Travel Scheme for people medically certified unfit to drive
- reduce the minimum weekly hours threshold from 21 to 15 hours for employers to avail of the Wage Subsidy Scheme
- increase in the Carer's Allowance income disregard to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple
- €400 cost of living lump sum payment. This will be paid to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension and Blind Pension *
- €300 cost of living lump sum Fuel Allowance payment for those getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
- €200 cost of living lump sum payment to people who are getting a Living Alone Increase
- Christmas Bonus double payment to people getting a long-term disability payment
- €12 increase in the maximum personal rate of weekly disability payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for people getting a reduced rate
- January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment, to be paid in 2024
- €10 increase a month in Domiciliary Care Allowance from January 2024
- from January 2024 there will be an increase of €12 in maximum personal weekly rate of jobseeker's payments. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
- €4 increase in weekly rates of qualified child payments in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over, and €46 for under 12s
- €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child
- Christmas Bonus to all people getting a long-term jobseeker payment
- January cost of living bonus for recipients of a long-term jobseeker payment, to be paid in 2024
- introduction of the Pay-Related Benefit Scheme for jobseekers in December 2024, subject to Government approval and pending final scheme design
- €400 cost of living lump sum payment to all families getting the Working Family Payment paid in November 2023
- double payment of Child Benefit to support all families to be paid in December 2023
- extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full time education, from September 2024
- extend the Hot School Meals on a phased basis in 2024, to all non-DEIS primary schools who applied as part of the expression of interest
- weekly rates of qualified child payments will increase by €4 in January 2024 bringing them to €54 for those aged 12 and over and €46 for under 12s
- extend Parent's Benefit from 7 weeks to 9 weeks in August 2024
- €12 increase in weekly social welfare payments from January 2024. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
- income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €54 per week regardless of family size from January 2024
- €300 cost of living lump sum for those getting the Fuel Allowance to be paid in November 2023
- €100 cost of living lump sum payment for people getting an Increase for a Qualified Child
- Christmas Bonus to be paid in December 2023
- January cost of living bonus for most people getting a long-term weekly social welfare payment, to be paid in 2024
Please note
* The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
* The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if you qualify for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
The Christmas Bonus will be paid to long-term welfare recipients in December 2023. This year’s Christmas Bonus has been extended to those who have been getting Illness Benefit for 12 months or longer.
The January Cost of Living Bonus will be paid in January 2024.
People who are getting the following payments will get the both bonuses:
- Back to Education Allowance
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
- Back to Work Family Dividend
- Blind Pension
- Carer's Allowance
- Carer's Benefit
- Community Employment
- Daily Expenses Allowance (long term)
- Deserted Wife's Allowance
- Deserted Wife's Benefit
- Disability Allowance
- Disablement Benefit
- Domiciliary Care Allowance
- Farm Assist
- Guardian's Payment
- Illness Benefit (long term)
- Invalidity Pension
- Job Initiative Scheme
- Jobseeker's Allowance (long term)
- Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
- Magdalen Commission Scheme
- Death Benefit Scheme (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Partial Capacity Benefit
- Rural Social Scheme
- State Pension (Contributory)
- State Pension (Non-contributory)
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance (long term)
- Tús (community work placement initiative)
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension
- Work Placement Experience Programme
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Personal Rate Under 80 | €277.30 | See IQA Below | €46 | €54 |
| Personal Rate Aged 80 and over | €287.30 | See IQA Below | €46 | €54 |
| Increase for Qualified Adult Under 66 | €184.70 | |||
| Increase for Qualified Adult 66 and over | €248.60 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Under 66 | €237.50 | €46 | €54 | |
| Aged 66 and under 80 | €277.30 | €46 | €54 | |
| Aged 80 and over | €287.30 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €237.5 | €169.7 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €249 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €263 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €232 | €154 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €274 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Under 66 | €262.50 | €46 | €54 | |
| Aged 66 and under 80 | €281.70 | €46 | €54 | |
| Aged 80 and over | €291.70 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Aged 66 and under 80 | €266 | €46 | €54 | |
| Aged 80 and over | €276.00 | €46 | €54 | |
| Increase for Qualified Adult Under 66 | €175.70 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Under 66 | €248.00 | €46 | €54 | |
| Aged 66 and over | €286.00 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €232 | €154 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €232 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €232 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| €232 | €154 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Under 25 | €141.70 | €141.7 | €46 | €54 |
| Aged 25 and over | €232.00 | €154 | €46 | €54 |
| Maximum weekly rate (from January 2024) | Personal Rate | Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) | Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12 | Increase for a Qualified Child Aged 12+ |
| Under 25 living independently with State support | €230.00 | €154 | €46 | €54 |
| Under 25 not living independently | €141.70 | €141.7 | ||
| Aged 25 and over | €230 | €154 | €46 | €54 |
| Child Benefit | 2024 Rate |
| Monthly Rate | €140 per child |
Twins: Child Benefit is paid at one and half times the normal monthly rate for each child.
All other multiple births: Child Benefit is paid at double the normal monthly rate for each child.
A rate increase of €12 per week from January 2024 for those participating in the Work Placement Experience Programme, Community Employment Programme, Rural Social Scheme and Tús.
| Working Family Payment Thresholds | 2024 Weekly Income Limit |
| 1 Child | €645 |
| 2 Children | €746 |
| 3 Children | €847 |
| 4 Children | €938 |
| 5 Children | €1064 |
| 6 Children | €1180 |
| 7 Children | €1316 |
| 8 Children or more | €1412 |
| Other Social Welfare Payments | 2024 Rate | Frequency |
| Guardian’s Payment (Con/Non-Con) | €215 | Weekly Rate |
| Fuel Allowance | €33 | Weekly Rate |
| Living Alone Allowance | €22 | Weekly Rate |
| Island Allowance (specified offshore islands) | €20 | Weekly Rate |
| Domiciliary Care Allowance | €340 | Monthly Rate |
| Carer’s Support Grant | €1850 | Annual Rate |
| Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant | €8000 | Once-off payment |
Following the Budget 2024 announcement there may be an increase in fraudulent texts or calls asking people to register for the lump sums and double payments. If you are entitled to a lump sum or double payment, these will be automatically paid and you do not need to apply for it. Read more on our alert on scam phone calls and scam text messages