Social welfare payments: Here's when people will receive the Christmas bonus

Dara Calleary (Brian Lawless/PA)

Christmas bonus payments totalling €370m will be paid to around 1.5 million long-term social welfare recipients this week, the Government has announced.

Pensioners, carers and people with disabilities will be among those receiving the bonus on the same day they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment.

Social protection minister Dara Calleary said: "I am very conscious of the pressure families are under particularly in the run up to Christmas. The Christmas bonus is a vital support, particularly for our senior citizens. 

"That’s why I am pleased to announce the details of the Christmas bonus Payments today. 1.5 million people will benefit including our pensioners, people with disabilities, carers, and lone parents.

"People will receive their Bonus payment on the same day that they usually receive their weekly pension or other primary payment."

The bonus is paid to long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and long-term unemployed people.

A full list or people who are eligible for the Christmas bonus is available on the Department of Social Protection website. Dublin has the highest number of estimated Christmas bonus recipients with 348,200, followed by Cork with 159,100.

The bonus was announced in last October's budget with more changes set to take place early next year. 

From January 2026, there will be a €10 increase in weekly social welfare payments, including the State pension, while there will be a €5 rise in the weekly Fuel Allowance, from €33 to €38.