Thousands of people to receive surprise double Social Welfare payment this week

Around 1.3 million social welfare recipients are due to receive a double payment this week.

Up to €342m will be paid out to pensioners, carers, people with disabilities, lone parents and low-income families.

People on Jobseekers Allowance for over 12 months will also qualify for the enhanced payment.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: "Over the past two and a half years, this Government has rolled out unprecedented financial supports to help families and households to deal with the cost of living.

"This is about putting more money back into your pocket and recognising that families continue to feel the pinch, particularly after the Christmas period".

The double payments were announced as part of Budget 2024 and will include the core weekly rate increases that came into effect at the start of last year.

Under these increases, most weekly payments went up by €12 per week at the beginning of the year with a range of targeted measures to take effect throughout 2024.

The Social Protection package in Budget 2024 was the largest in the history of the State to assist people with the Cost of Living crisis through a mix of lump sum supports and increases to weekly payments.

The January Bonus is the ninth lump sum payment under Budget 2024.

The double payment is automatically paid - people do not need to apply for it.