- 100% Christmas Bonus to be paid to pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and long-term social welfare recipients
- Payments totalling over €313 million to issue to nominated Bank accounts and Post Offices in week commencing 6th December 2021
- Those in receipt of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or Jobseekers for 12 months to qualify
- Minister Humphreys urges recipients to support businesses by spending the Christmas Bonus locally
Wednesday, 1st December 2021
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, today announced that the Christmas Bonus will be paid to some 1.4 million people next week.
As part of the Budget 2022 discussions, Minister Humphreys secured a 100% Christmas Bonus again this year, at a cost of over €313 million.
The Christmas Bonus is paid to long-term social welfare recipients such as pensioners, carers, people with disabilities and lone parents.
Minister Humphreys also announced that the qualifying period for people in receipt of an eligible Jobseeker’s payment has been reduced to 12 months from 15 months.
In addition, long-term recipients of the Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will also receive this year’s Christmas Bonus.
Time spent on the PUP by customers who have since moved to a Jobseeker’s payment will count towards reaching the 12 month requirement.
Announcing the Christmas Bonus, Minister Humphreys said:
“Christmas is a special time of the year but it can be a particularly expensive period for individuals and families.
“Therefore, I’m really pleased to announce that a 100% Christmas Bonus will once again be paid this year, benefitting almost 1.4 million people.
“The Bonus will be paid into people’s accounts beginning next week – providing an additional support to the likes of our pensioners, carers, lone parents, people on disabilities and people on a long-term jobseeker’s payment.
“As a former Minister for Business, I know that our retail community are still feeling the impact of Covid-19.
“This past two years has been so difficult for our small and medium businesses. I am therefore urging everyone to consider spending the Christmas Bonus locally this year.
“If we keep our business in our towns, we will keep our towns in business.”
Notes for Editor
A 100% Christmas Bonus will be paid in December 2021 to recipients of long-term Social Welfare payments (minimum payment of €20). People in receipt of the following payments will receive the Bonus:
- State Pensions and Widow’s/Widower’s/Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions
- Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Carer’s Benefit, Partial Capacity Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Guardian’s payments
- One-Parent Family Payment, Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, Long-term Pandemic Unemployment Payment, Jobseeker’s Transition Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance and Farm Assist
- Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, TÚS, Gateway and Job Initiative, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Daily Expenses Allowance, Magdalene Commission Scheme.