Welfare recipients to see payments double for Christmas period

WELFARE recipients got some early Christmas cheer yesterday with the announcement of an extra €157 million in bonus payments.

Social and Family Affairs Minister Seamus Brennan described the seasonal boost for those on welfare, pension and widow payments among others as a financial lifeline. Payments will be doubled early next month, as part of the traditional annual assistance.

More than 1.2 million welfare recipients as well as their dependents will benefit from the annual bonus.

“This bonus payment is relied on by hundreds of thousands of people, and is a lifeline at this time of year as spending pressures increase,” Mr Brennan said.

The bonus is due to be paid in the first week in December, giving those on welfare an additional sum for the Christmas period.

Payments will range from €165.80 to €193.30 for those on State pensions, invalidity pensions, widow/widower’s pensions, one parent family payments, carer’s benefits, disability allowances, long-term jobseeker’s allowances and a number of other employment support payments.

The bonus will also be paid to certain participants of FAS, VTOS, Job Initiative and CE schemes, in addition to other income maintenance schemes operated by the Department of Health and Children.

According to Mr Brennan, the 100% benefit top-up is consistent with attempts to help the less well off in society. Many are now relying at this time of year on the traditional annual bonus payment just to get by, he added.

“This Government is harnessing the fruits of economic success and channelling much of it to help those who are struggling and feel marginalised. This year alone my Department is spending nearly €14 billion — or almost €1 for every €3 of taxpayers’ money that the State will spend — on entitlements, supports and services. That is double what was being spent no more than four years ago.”