Three lump sum payments being paid this week introduced as part of Budget 2024

by | Nov 21, 2023 | Budget 2024, Social Protection | 0 comments

  • 3 Budget 2024 lump-sum supports totalling approx. €230 million will be paid this week to help with Cost of Living
  • Some 409,000 households to get €300 Fuel allowance lump sum payment
  • 214,000 people with disabilities to receive €400 Disability Support Grant
  • 45,000 Working Families to get €400 lump sum payment
  • All lump sum supports are automatically paid – no application required

These supports were introduced as part of Budget 2024 and are the first of a total of nine lump sum payments that will be paid between November 2023 and January 2024.

The Social Protection package in Budget 2024 is the largest in the history of the State and will assist pensioners, families, carers and people with disabilities with the Cost of Living through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.

The Lump-Sum payments being paid this week are:

  • A €300 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment will be paid to 409,000 households throughout the week (payment day differs per recipient).
  • From Wednesday 22nd November to Friday 24th November, a €400 Disability Support Grant will be paid to 214,000 people with disabilities who receive Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or the Blind Pension (payment day differs per recipient).
  • On Thursday, 23rd November, a €400 lump sum Working Family Payment will be paid to 45,000 families (with 97,000 children).

People will receive the lump sum payments in addition to and on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.

The Minister made the announcement at Shed Fest – the first ever national conference held by the Men’s Sheds Association.

  • All the lump sum and double payments are automatically paid – people do not need to apply for them.
  • The once off payment of €400 to people getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension and/or the Carer’s Support Grant, is only payable in respect of one payment, even if a person qualifies for more than one of the payments or are caring for more than one person.
  • The Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare recipients with their winter heating costs.
  • The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two instalment payments; and is paid over the winter season (28 weeks from late September to April in the 2023/24 Fuel Allowance season).
  • In Budget 2023, a new Fuel Allowance means test was introduced for people aged 70 years and over. The allowable means is now €500 per week (increasing to €512 per week from January 2024) for a single person and €1,000 per week (increasing to €1,024 per week from January 2024) for a couple.
  • The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. The payment was previously called Family Income Supplement.
  • Working Family Payment income thresholds for all family sizes by €54 per week, from January 2024.