Dates confirmed for payment of State's cost-of-living supports
The Government has announced the dates for payment of a number of cost-of-living supports that were announced in last month's budget in order to help people cope with the current high level of inflation.
The measures will start to kick in from next week, when double payments are to be made for all social protection recipients, including old age pensioners.
Westmeath Minister of State Peter Burke said eight lump-sum payments, totalling €1.2 billion nationally, would start to be rolled out from Monday next in order to assist people.
"As well as the significant supports in the Budget for 2023, people in Westmeath are going to receive immediate help with the cost of living," said Minister of State Burke.
"From next Monday, October 17, the Autumn Double Lump Sum Payment will be paid to social protection recipients including all pensioners, carers and people on disability payments.
"There will be a double payment of Child Benefit on November 1.
"On the week commencing Monday, November 14, there will be four significant payments: A €500 Disability Support Grant will be paid to people with disabilities; a €500 Cost of Living Payment will be paid to those in receipt of Working Family Payment; and a €200 payment will be made to people in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance.
"A €400 Fuel Allowance Lump Sum Payment will be paid in the same week to 7,613 households in Westmeath.
"Minister Humphreys also secured a major expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme – which will see many more households supported with their fuel cost for the first time from January.
"On the week commencing Monday, November 21, a €500 Carer's Support Grant will be provided to all those in receipt of the Carers' Support Grant.
"A 100% Christmas Bonus will also be paid on the week commencing December 5," he added.
Heather Humphreys, the Minister for Social Protection, said the social protection budget announced last month was the largest in the history of the State.
"This reflects the fact that families are really feeling the squeeze right now. And it is only right that Government steps in to support them with these eight lump sum payments totalling 1.2 billion," she said.