Four separate new lump-sum payments are to be made this week in response to the cost of living crisis. The payments announced in September’s budget will benefit older people, working families and people with disabilities. The lump sum payments being paid this week are:
A €500 Disability Support Grant will be paid to 216,000 people receiving Disability Allowance, Blind Pension and Invalidity Pension.
A €400 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment will be paid to over 370,000 households.
A €500 lump sum Working Family Payment will be paid to 44,000 families.
A €200 lump sum payment will be paid to the 234,000 people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance.
An anomaly arose since the €500 payment was announced for those on a disability allowance that are currently undergoing training as part of the National Learning Network. In such cases the student’s disability allowance changes to a training allowance making them ineligible for the €500 payment. The government has committed to addressing this and ensuring that all will receive the special cost of living payment.
In addition, from January, all weekly payments will be increased by €12 per week.
In the weeks ahead, a once off reduction in the student contribution fee and double payments to those eligible for SUSI maintenance grants will be made.
In addition, the Fuel Allowance Scheme will be made available to 81,000 new households from January 2023.
