Ireland’s Christmas bonus is due to be rolled out in a matter of days after the Minister for Social Protection confirmed 1.4 million people are in for the boost.
It is well-known that anyone receiving one of the eligible social welfare payments is entitled to the extra payment this festive season.
However, some questions remain around how much each person will receive depending on their situation.
In 2021, the Christmas bonus will be 100% of your normal weekly payment - including the Living Alone Increase, the Island Allowance, and the Over-80 Increase.
The minimum Bonus payment that will be given out is €20.
Those who receive payments for a Qualified Adult, will also have the Christmas bonus paid directly to them.
If you are getting two 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.
For Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA), which is paid monthly, the bonus is 100% of the weekly DCA rate.
The DCA portion of the bonus is calculated independently of other payments.
For example, if you are getting a full-rate DCA for one child, 100% of the weekly rate is €71.20.
Jobseeker’s payment has been reduced to 12 months from 15 months.
In addition, long-term recipients of the PUP will also receive this year’s Christmas bonus.
Speaking about the upcoming payment, Minister Humphreys said she hopes the recipients will use this boost to shop locally and support Irish businesses.
“Christmas is a special time of the year but it can be a particularly expensive period for individuals and families," she said.
“Therefore, I’m really pleased to announce that a 100% Christmas bonus will once again be paid this year, benefitting almost 1.4 million people.
“The bonus will be paid into people’s accounts beginning next week – providing additional support to the likes of our pensioners, carers, lone parents, people on disabilities, and people on a long-term jobseeker’s payment.
“As a former Minister for Business, I know that our retail community is still feeling the impact of Covid-19.
“These past two years have been so difficult for our small and medium businesses. I am therefore urging everyone to consider spending the Christmas Bonus locally this year.
“If we keep our business in our towns, we will keep our towns in business.”
Payments will begin from Monday, December 6, 2021.
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