Ireland's Christmas bonus is set to be sent to social welfare recipients from Monday.
The cash benefit is given to people claiming a long-term social welfare payment ahead of the festive season, in order to help them with added costs around this time of year.
The bonus will be especially welcome for those who have recently lost their job due to the reintroduction of Covid-19 restrictions last week.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys announced all of the details of the 2021 payment last week and said she hopes people will use the payments to support Irish businesses that are struggling during Covid.
Some people will still have questions about the payment, so here's all you need to know:
When will I get the Christmas bonus?
Between Monday, December 6 and Friday, December 10.
How much will I get and who is eligible for a 'double' payment?
Officials confirmed that the 2021 Christmas Bonus will be 100% of your usual weekly pension or benefit payment.
That means all eligible recipients will get a bonus amount equal to their normal weekly payment paid in addition to the normal weekly payment.
If you are getting one of three eligible social welfare payments - for example, a One-Parent Family Payment and the Domiciliary Care Allowance or a half-rate Carer’s Allowance as well as your primary payment - you get the Christmas Bonus for both payments.
Who gets the Christmas bonus?
Anyone who is getting one or more of the following payments will see the added boost this week:
- State Pensions and Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions
- Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Guardian’s payments
- One-Parent Family Payment, Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, Long-term Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Jobseeker’s Transition Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance and Farm Assist
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS, Gateway and Job Initiative, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Daily Expenses Allowance, Magdalene Commission Scheme
