Social welfare Ireland: Recipients warned of payment date change in weeks due to schedule shake up

Social welfare recipients are set to be paid early in the coming weeks due to a schedule change.

Christmas is just around the corner, and due to the closure of banks and post offices over the Christmas period, payment dates will change.

The government has confirmed that thousands of people will receive their weekly social welfare payments early in December.

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In a statement on their website, the Department of Social Protection has said: "If you get a social welfare payment, the date which you receive your payment may change during the Christmas and New Year period. Details of all payment arrangements for this period are provided below.

"If you receive a weekly social welfare payment, you will get your payment as usual during the week commencing Monday 16 December, and an advanced payment for the following week. This applies to payments made at post offices, by cheque or directly into your financial institution account."

The DSP have also warned: "The change in social welfare payment dates will also affect part-time, casual or short-time workers over the Christmas and New Year period. In order to ensure you receive your payments on time this month, please follow the guidelines on MyWelfare.ie on how to submit your work patterns correctly.

"If you are claiming on a casual basis: where dockets have been provided in advance, two payments covering the signing weeks ending 17 and 24 December (Jobseeker’s Allowance), or 18 and 25 December (Jobseeker’s Benefit) will be paid into accounts on 20 December.

"Normal payment arrangements for week ending 31 December and 1 January will resume on Tuesday, 7 January 2025."

It can be easy to forget a schedule change so be sure to keep it in mind. The change won't affect anyone in receipt of Child Benefit, as that is due to be paid on the 7th of January when banks and post offices are back open as normal.