examsandjobs.inyour one stop career hub
Important Updates About Social Welfare Payments for Christmas 2023
Last Updated:  December 22, 2023  |  

Important Updates About Social Welfare Payments for Christmas 2023

As Christmas is getting closer, many people who depend on social welfare payments are excited about receiving their money for the holiday season. This year, there are some changes to when you'll get your payment, and there's good news about more money for social welfare in 2024. Let's take a look at all the details.

Early Christmas Payments

Christmas is a time of happiness and giving, and the government wants to make it even better by giving some social welfare payments a bit earlier than usual. If you usually get your payment on December 23, 24, or 25, you'll get it a day earlier, on December 22. This is helpful if you need the money for holiday preparations. Also, payments that were supposed to come on New Year's Day will be available on December 29.

These changes apply to payments you get through your bank, at the post office, or by check, making it easier for you to use the money during the holidays.

More Money in 2024

Besides the changes for Christmas, there's more good news for people who get social welfare payments in the new year, starting in January 2024. Everyone who gets these payments will get an extra €12 each week. This means you'll have more money to cover your expenses.

Parents with kids who qualify will also get an extra €4 per week to help take care of their families. If your child is under 12, you'll get €46 per week, and if they're 12 or older, you'll get €54 per week, all starting in January 2024.

Changes to Payment Dates for Christmas

To make it clear, here's a quick summary of the changes for social welfare payment dates during the holidays:

  • No changes for payments on December 18, 19, 20, 21, and 22.
  • Payments scheduled for December 23, 24, and 25 will now come on December 22.
  • January 1 payments will be made on December 29.

Christmas Bonus 2023

The Christmas Bonus is an additional payment given to people who have been getting social welfare for a long time as a special holiday gift. The great thing is that you don't have to apply for it – you'll get it automatically if you meet the rules.

This year's Christmas Bonus is 100%, and the payments will start during the week of December 4, 2023. If you've been getting Illness Benefit for at least a year, you can also get this year's Christmas Bonus. Even if your regular payment is small, you'll still get at least €20 as a bonus.

Who Can Get the Christmas Bonus?

To know if you can get the Christmas Bonus, the government has rules and criteria based on things like your job and how much money you make. Here are some important points:

  • If you get more than one social welfare payment, like your main payment and another one, you'll get the Christmas Bonus for both.
  • To get the Education Allowance bonus, you must have been getting it for a year, and sometimes the time you spent getting jobseeker payments can count towards this requirement.
  • Lots of other payments and allowances, like Disability Benefit, Carer's Benefit and Allowance, and more, can get the Christmas Bonus if you've been getting them for a year.

How Is the Christmas Bonus Calculated?

The Christmas Bonus is a special extra payment given out during the holidays. Usually, it's like a thank-you gift from employers to their employees. On average, employees might get about 5% of their yearly salary as a holiday bonus. But the amount can vary a lot, from $100 to $5,000, depending on where you work.

Getting Your Christmas Bonus

If you're eligible, getting the Christmas Bonus is easy. Many people will see it appear in their bank account through government payment systems. For example, millions of folks on Universal Credit and other benefits will automatically get their Christmas Bonus in their bank account.

If you think you should have gotten the Christmas Bonus but haven't by January 1st, you can contact the Pension Service or the Jobcentre Plus office that handles your payments. They'll help you make sure you get the bonus you deserve.

In summary, the changes in social welfare payment dates and the generous Christmas Bonus for 2023 are great news for people who rely on these benefits during the holiday season. The government is working to make sure everyone has a great Christmas and a Happy New Year with the financial support they need.

Return to Homepage for more content.