What are the social welfare changes that take effect from January?

A NUMBER of social welfare changes will take effect from this January as part of the Government’s Budget 2024.

Several increases in payments and changes to income thresholds will be coming in for all households in the next couple of months, including for energy credits, child benefit and carer's allowance. 

All weekly social welfare payments will increase by €12 with proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment in January. Those aged between 25 and under who are getting a reduced rate of Jobseeker's Allowance will also get the full increase.

The weekly rate for a qualified child will increase by €4, from €42 to €46, for children under 12 years of age. And it will also increase from €50 to €54 for 12 years old and over.

There will be a once-off double payment to all weekly qualifying social welfare recipients during the week of January 29.

Households will receive two further energy credits of €150 each in the New Year, one in January and the second in March.

Child Benefit will be extended to children aged 18 who are in full-time education from September 2024.

The Working Family Payment income limits will increase by €54 across all family sizes from January 2024. A once-off payment of €400 will be paid to people getting the Working Family Payment in November 2023.

From June 2024, the Carer’s Allowance income disregard will increase to €450 for a single person and €900 for a couple from June 2024.

From this January, the Domiciliary Care Allowance will increase by €10 to €340 per month.