A number of benefits announced in last year’s Budget will kick in this week.
A series of changes to social welfare payments announced in the 2016 Budget will come into effect this week, with many recipients likely to benefit from a few extra quid in their pockets as a result.
An increase in weekly social welfare payments was announced by Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe in October of last year, although some recipients were subject to smaller increases, such as people under the age of 26.
Changes to Jobseeker’s Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Farm Assist and Pre-Retirement Allowance payments will all come into effect starting from Wednesday, March 8, with further changes to come into effect later this month.
Some of the main payments are listed below; you can see them in full on the Department of Social Protection website here.
Jobseeker’s Benefit from 9 March 2017
Personal rate: €193 per week
Jobseeker’s Allowance from 8 March 2017
Maximum personal rate aged 26 or over: €193 per week
Maximum personal rate aged 25: €147.80 per week
Maximum rate for a claimant who is 18-24: €102.70 per week
Farm Assist from 8 March 2017
Personal rate: €193 per week
Pre-retirement Allowance from 8 March 2017
Personal rate: €193 per week
