A woman taking euro notes out of her purse(Image: Getty Images)

Social welfare Ireland: Date change announced for October double bonus payment due to bank holiday

24 Oct 2024, 10:19 by Anita McSorley · Irish Mirror

Over one million social welfare recipients across Ireland will receive their October double payment earlier than expected.

The bonus payment, announced earlier this month as part of Budget 2025, is part of a €1.2 billion social welfare package aimed at supporting those in greatest need. It includes a range of measures, including a series of 10 lump sum cost of living payments - the first of which will arrive this month.

The October Bonus, a once-off double payment worth 100% of a recipient’s normal weekly amount, will be issued to the same recipients who are eligible for the Christmas Bonus in December. This includes pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and lone parents.

Those receiving these increases will see their extra amount doubled, alongside their primary weekly payment.

It was due to be issued to all 1.38 million recipients during the week starting Monday, October 28 however the payment date has since been adjusted. It has been confirmed that due to the October Bank Holiday, people will receive their cash boost earlier.

The Department of Social Protection announced that any social welfare payments due on Monday, October 28, will instead be paid on Friday, October 25. Normal payments will resume on Tuesday, October 29.

A spokesperson said: "Monday October 28 is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any Social Welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 28 October will now be paid on Friday 25 October instead. Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday 29 October."

Who qualifies for the October bonus?

Back to Education Allowance
Back to Work Enterprise Allowance
Back to Work Family Dividend
Blind Pension
Carer's Allowance
Carer's Benefit
Community Employment
Daily Expenses Allowance (long term)
Deserted Wife's Allowance
Deserted Wife's Benefit
Disability Allowance
Disablement Benefit
Domiciliary Care Allowance
Farm Assist
Guardian's Payment
Illness Benefit (long -term)
Invalidity Pension
Job Initiative Scheme
Jobseeker's Allowance (long term)
Jobseeker's Transitional Payment
Magdalen Commission Scheme
Death Benefit Scheme (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)
One-Parent Family Payment
Partial Capacity Benefit
Rural Social Scheme
State Pension (Contributory)
State Pension (Non-contributory)
Supplementary Welfare Allowance (long-term)
Tús (community work placement initiative)
Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension
Work Placement Experience Programme

If you are getting two eligible social welfare payments, you will get the October Bonus and Christmas Bonus for both payments.

The full list of dates for the Cost of Living and Social Welfare lump sums:

Friday, October 15

October double payment.

Week starting November 4

€400 Cost of Living Payment to Working Family Payment recipients.
€300 Cost of Living payment to all Fuel Allowance recipients.

Tuesday November 5

Double payment of Child Benefit (€280 per child).

Week starting November 11

€400 Cost of Living payment recipients of Carer’s Support Grant
€200 Cost of Living payment to recipients of the Living Alone Allowance.

Week starting November 25

€100 Cost of Living payment for each child in respect of whom a Child Support Payment is in payment.

Week starting December 2

Christmas Bonus double payment.

Tuesday December 3

Double payment of Child Benefit (€280 per child).

Join the Irish Mirror’s breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive breaking news and the latest headlines direct to your phone. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.