James Barnes-Miller laid the foundations for snowboarder Ollie Hill to write British Paralympic history in Beijing. Hill, 32, became the first British snowboarder to win a Paralympic medal with a stunning performance in Friday’s SB-LL2 banked slalom. Barnes-Miller, of Tunbridge Wells, couldn’t replicate those feats in his upper body handicap events as he finished fifth […]
Many people may not be aware of a free online service that can quickly find help with benefits, work, money, housing issues and more in their area, just by entering a subject. to search for and their postal code. local council is delivered by the charity, net dutiesand has been developed to help people with […]
Around 1.6 million people in Ireland receive a weekly social allowance, according to the most recent figures from the Department of Social Care. Some 2.3 million people benefit from these payments and the social protection system plays a fundamental role in the daily functioning of the country. However, with the rising cost of living, many […]
The cost of living in Ireland is on the rise and prices are expected to remain high in the months ahead. The government plans to put in place a package of measures to help the public with day-to-day expenses, including a national renovation program and an energy rebate of €113.50. It comes as a deputy […]
Recipients of social assistance in Ireland must meet strict eligibility criteria to qualify for payments. Additionally, while applying for benefits, they must continue to meet the requirements set by the Department of Social Welfare. This means that people must inform the department if they have a change in their situation or if they no longer […]
Millions of people across the country are currently claiming one form or another of social benefits. The Department of Social Protection is responsible for ensuring that all payments are made to those in need, but this also includes detecting any cases of fraud. Dedicated officers within the Department verify all payments and ensure that assistance […]
A specialist unit within the Department of Social Protection continues to check people’s claims in a bid to catch fraudsters. Some 120 officers work within the Special Investigation Unit which focuses on the assessment and detection of welfare fraud. This includes 21 gardai whose role is to investigate the most serious cases of welfare fraud […]
An Post has warned that a number of offices may have to close temporarily due to a staff shortage due to Covid-19. Due to the number of workers contracting the coronavirus, a spokesperson said it was causing “temporary strain” on resources. As a result, they expect some regions to experience delivery delays as they face […]
Staff working in welfare offices were exposed to Covid-19 by members of the public on 129 occasions in the first months of the coronavirus crisis. Civil servants working for the Department of Social Care reported 129 incidents of clients entering their offices when they should have self-isolated or restricted their movements in 2020. Staff working […]
A number of changes announced in Budget 2022 will take effect as the New Year dawns. Those on minimum wage will see some extra money in their pockets, while increases in social benefits and pensions are also on the horizon. Living alone and fuel allowances are also increased, while the parental allowance period has been […]
Social recipients who receive their payments in post offices are warned of a five-day closure. Post offices across Ireland will close at midday on Christmas Eve and will not reopen until December 30. They will also be closed on January 1, 2 and 3. The Department of Social Protection said payments were made as usual […]
The major annual adjustments to payment dates for social assistance and state pension recipients are taking place mainly this week due to the closure of banks and post offices for five days. Both close from December 25 and will reopen on December 30. Post offices and banks will remain open until lunchtime on Friday 24th […]
The festive season could see thousands of people across Ireland contract Covid-19 and be forced into self-isolation. This means many of those who would normally work over Christmas and New Year will now have to stay home. The Department of Social Care reminds people that a welfare payment is available for anyone diagnosed with Covid-19 […]
A number of important changes are coming to the welfare system in January 2022. A slew of Budget 2022 features will finally come into effect early next month with increases for welfare recipients. From 1 January, the maximum rate of all weekly social allowances will increase by €5 with proportional increases for qualified adults and […]
The holiday season always sees social recipients affected by major changes in their payment dates. Post offices and banks close for several days over Christmas, which means that many benefits are distributed to claimants earlier than usual. The majority of people receiving weekly or monthly social benefits will be paid within days, even if they […]
Many people in Ireland will notice the positive effects of the 2022 budget in a number of areas as the changes come into effect in the coming weeks. From increases in social protection to the creation of thousands of new jobs and education courses, a lot will be implemented from January and beyond. Parents, landlords, […]
There are just 11 days left until Christmas Day, which means thousands of welfare recipients will have their payment dates changed. Due to the closure of post offices and banks, people receiving weekly and monthly allowances will see their usual payment dates impacted. Post offices and banks open for half a day on December 24 […]
Gardai is stepping up the number of checkpoints as Christmas approaches, with “life saver” offenses being checked regularly. However, multi-agency vehicle checkpoints are carried out on Irish roads and include the warden as well as a few other authorities. The Highway Safety Authority, Customs, Taxation and Social Welfare Department all participate in the checks. However, […]
Christmas Day is just over two weeks away, which means thousands of welfare recipients will see big changes to their payment dates. Opening hours for banks and post offices will be reduced during the holiday season as staff across the country take vacations. This means that people who claim social assistance should see their usual […]
Anyone in Ireland receiving social benefits this Christmas season will notice a number of changes in payment dates throughout December. Some will be distributed early this year to avoid any disruption caused by festive bank closures to ensure people are not left behind during the Christmas season. Most of the temporary dates are only days […]
The Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP) will reopen on Tuesday and the amount people can receive will depend on their previous income before being made redundant by the Covid-19 restrictions. People who earned € 400 or more per week will be entitled to the maximum rate of € 350. Those who receive a salary between € […]
The Irish Christmas Bonus will begin to be paid to Irish welfare recipients from tomorrow 6 December. More than 1.4 million people will get a boost amid the notoriously expensive holiday season. Social Care Minister Heather Humphreys announced full details of the 2021 payment during the week and said she hoped people would use the […]
Thousands of welfare recipients will start receiving their Christmas bonuses from Monday. The annual cash benefit is paid to people who apply for long-term social allowance before the holiday season. The premium is 100% of the normal weekly long-term welfare benefit claimants receive, with a minimum amount of €20. Payout-eligible recipients will receive the bonus […]
Welfare recipients will start receiving their Christmas bonus payments for 2021 shortly, as the one-time benefit is due in days. The annual cash bonus is granted to persons claiming a long-term social allowance. The bonus is 100% of the normal weekly long-term social allowance claimants receive, the minimum amount being €20. Some 23 payments are […]
Christmas Day is just over four weeks away, which means preparations are underway for the holiday season. The holiday season sees millions of people on a break from work, including bank and post office workers. This means that welfare recipients should have their usual payment dates affected by these closures. Post offices and banks open […]
Christmas Day is just over a month away, which means welfare recipients will be hit by changes to their payment dates in a matter of weeks. Every year there is a “double pay Christmas week” of social and pension benefits which are paid out just before the holiday season. Due to the closure of banks […]
Thousands of welfare recipients are expected to receive their Christmas bonus within weeks. The annual cash benefit is paid to people who apply for long-term social allowance before the holiday season. The premium is 100% of the normal weekly long-term welfare benefit claimants receive, with a minimum amount of €20. The government has confirmed that […]