As we welcome the new year of 2025, here is a brief recap of all the measures that are coming into effect to help you and your family with the cost of living:
- €12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
- €15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent’s Benefit
- Weekly rates of Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for those under 12
- Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after 1 December 2024
- The income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €60 a week regardless of family size
- Extend Carer’s Benefit to people who are self-employed
- Carer’s Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test
- €20 increase a month in Domiciliary Care Allowance
- The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025 for those who get State Pension (Non-contributory) , Disability Allowance or Blind Pension
- Means test disregard for Fuel Allowance extended to those aged 66 and over: €524 (single person) and €1,048 (couple), meaning more people will qualify for this support
- €125 energy credit paid to all households from January 1st
- Employees can get some vouchers or other non-cash benefits each year without paying tax on them. From 1 January 2025, there will be an increase in the maximum exemption, from €1,000 to €1,500. This can include up to 5 non-cash benefits per year (an increase from 2 benefits per year).
- The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
- The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%
- The VAT charged for installing a heat pump will be reduced from the standard rate at 23% to the 9% reduced rate
