Hundreds of thousands of families are in line for three lump sum payments to help with the cost-of-living this week.
In last month’s Budget, the Government announced that measures to help with struggling with the impact of inflation would continue into 2024.
Over the next few days, some 409,000 households will receive a €300 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment.
Read more: Find out when Budget 2024 supports will be paid out
The 214,000 people who receive the Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or the Blind Pension will also have €400 transferred to them for a Disability Support Grant.
Finally, on Thursday, some 45,000 families will be given a €400 Working Family Payment lump sum.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said the Government remains “conscious” that many people are struggling to make ends meet.
“This suite of lump sum payments means that people will have extra money in their pockets, which will ease the pressure and stress that many households are facing,” she said.
📢Minister @HHumphreysFG announces details of Cost of Living Lump Sum Supports being paid this week
✅Some 409,000 households to get €300 Fuel allowance lump sum payment
ℹ️ https://t.co/OeMxSnBv1F pic.twitter.com/eizyUUy6qn— Department of Social Protection (@welfare_ie) November 20, 2023
A further six lump sum payments are due in the coming weeks and there will be across-the-board welfare increases of €12 per week in January.
'A temporary lift' in cost-of-living crisis
People Before Profit have described the payments as “very welcome” but warned they are not a long-term solution to poverty.
"They're not dealing with the systemic issues - for example, there's been no inflation-matching increase for pensioners, for people with disabilities, for carers," TD Bríd Smith said.
"When these double payments are paid off, and after Christmas when there's no more extra money coming in, people are going to find themselves in dire straits because costs are still going up, particularly in housing and in energy.
"It gives the Government a temporary lift, there's no doubt about it... but people's living standards will effectively be cut come the new year and after Christmas.
"So, we still need more to be done and more systemic measures to be taken".
This week’s payments will cost the Department of Social Protection €230 million out of the €25.2 billion it was allocated in Budget 2024.
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