There will be some welcome news for those currently receiving welfare payments as it is expected the annual Christmas bonus will be paid out within the next two weeks.
The bonus which was confirmed back in Octobers budget will see those currently receiving welfare payments being given an extra 85% on top of their current weekly payments.
Although no official date has been announced it is widely expected that the bonus payments will be issued to almost all welfare recipients on the week starting November 27th or the week starting December 4th, with part time workers and those on jobseekers allowance expected to receive their bonus a week later.
It is expected the 85% bonus which has been issued since 2014 will cost the state in the region of €219m.
The Department of Social Protection say the bonus will be paid to those receiving following welfare payments:
- State pension
- Widow’s and widower’s pension
- Guardian’s payment
- Blind pension
- Invalidity pension
- Disability allowance
- Deserted wife’s benefit
- Carer’s allowance and benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
- TÚS, Gateway and Job initiative
- Community Employment
- Rural Social Scheme