Local Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has announced €1.4m for the Autumn double social welfare payment this week The move will benefit pensioners, those with disabilities, carers and lone parents, and is the first of eight lump-sum payments totalling €1.2bn to help with the Cost of Living crisis.
Meanwhile, the payments were announced as part of last month's Social Protection Budget. The Minister said cost of living pressures were negatively impacting the lives of many people across the country.
She added there will be "further supports" next month including payments under the expanded Fuel Allowance Scheme. "As Minister for Social Protection, my priority is to support the people most seriously impacted by the cost of living. That's exactly why today I am announcing the first of eight lump sum payments between now and Christmas.
"These will be so important in terms of supporting the likes of our pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and working families. This week's double payment will support 1.4 million people across the State. And, it will be followed by further supports next month, including a €400 lump sum payment for those in receipt of the Fuel Allowance and a €200 lump sum payment for those in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance.
"There will also be a double payment of Child Benefit in November, as well as a €500 payment for those in receipt of the Carer's Support Grant, and a €500 payment for people in receipt of Disability Allowance. In addition to the series of lump-sum payments, I was delighted to also secure a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme - which will see up to 81,000 new households supported with their fuel cost for the first time, as well as across-the-board welfare increases of €12 per week. These measures will take effect from January 2023," she added.
