Around 65,000 families will receive extra cash before Christmas after the government approved a €17 million bonus package for people on social benefits.
The cabinet signed off on the special payment for 2025, which will put money in the pockets of low-income families, pensioners and single mothers ahead of the festive season’s higher costs.
Recipients of the Guaranteed Minimum Income (GMI) and Public Assistance will get the biggest payments – 80% of their family’s basic needs assessment, according to the Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare. Low-income pensioners will receive at least €100, matching their December allowance.
Single mothers, families with three or more children, and recipients of the Honorary Allowance for Mothers of Large Families will each get €100. Enclaved persons and children of enclaved or resettled persons will receive an amount equal to their December allowance.
The Christmas bonus starts hitting bank accounts from 12 December. GMI and Public Assistance recipients get paid first that day, followed by emergency assistance recipients on 15 December. The final batch – including low-income pensioners and large families – will be paid on 17 December.
The government has also brought forward regular December benefit payments to ease the festive squeeze. Child benefit and single-parent allowances will arrive on 10 December, nearly three weeks earlier than usual. GMI and monthly Public Assistance follow on 12 December.
Most other benefits – including allowances for low-income pensioners, mothers of large families, and people with severe disabilities – will be paid on 16 December. Allowances for enclaved and resettled persons come through on 17 December.
The Deputy Ministry of Social Welfare worked with the Social Welfare Services, Social Insurance Department and Central Agency for Equal Distribution of Burdens to arrange the early payments.