The Ireland government increased the social welfare benefits in the Budget 2025, which was effective from January 2025. The Department of Social Protection has processed these increases in the Social Welfare payments, which can add thousands more to the pocket of Irish people.
With the increase in weekly payments up to €12, the government also offered many lump-sum payments in the Budget 2025. The Irish people expecting their social welfare payments in April 2025 can expect some change in their payout date if it falls on 21 April 2025 due to Easter.
The Ireland people can avail of the Social Welfare payments depending on their eligibility conditions, as the government offers many benefits, such as pensions, Carers payment, Working age payments, Jobseeker allowance, Disability and illness, and many others to support the citizens.
| Social Welfare Payment Increase | By €15 for paternity benefits, Parent’s Benefit, Maternity benefit, adoptive benefit, and for others €12 |
| Effective from | January 2025 |
| Fund allocated | €2.6 billion |
| New Initiative | New Baby Grant up to €280 |
| April 2025 Payment Date change | 18 April 2025 (For people, the benefit payout date of 21 April 2025) |
| Official Website | https://www.citizensinformation.ie/ |
Social Welfare boost
In Budget 2025, the Irish government gave the Department of Social Protection €2.6 billion for social assistance. The government boosted the Social Welfare payments weekly rate of many benefits, such as paternity benefits, Parent’s Benefit, Maternity benefit, and adoptive benefit by €15.
The other weekly social welfare payments are boosted by €12 with a proportional increase for qualified individuals. Starting on March 1, 2025, the maximum weekly social welfare payment rate for all eligible individuals and those with lower rates has increased.
The government increased these benefit rates to support the Irish people with the ongoing crisis and increased rates of essential items and services. The recipients must have experienced an increase in their weekly or monthly payments of social welfare.
Increased New Payments
Ireland citizens wondering about the increase in their Social Welfare payments can check the new payment after the increase for some of the popular benefits here:
- Pensions
| State Pension Contributory | Weekly Rate |
| Under age 80 (personal rate) | €289.30 |
| Age 80 or over (personal rate) | €299.30 |
| Under 66 (qualified Adult) | €192.70 |
| Age 66 or over (Qualified Adult) | €259.40 |
| State Pension (Non-Contributory | |
| Aged 66 and over | €278 |
| Aged 80 or over | €288 |
| Under 66 (Qualified Adult) | €183.60 |
| Widow’s, Surviving, Widower’s Pension | |
| Under 66 | €249.5 |
| Aged 66 or over | €289.30 |
| Aged 88 or above | €299.30 |
- Working Age Payments
| Benefit | Maxi. Weekly Rate |
| JobSeeker’s Benefit | |
| Personal Rate | €244 |
| Qualified Adult boost | €162 |
| JobSeeker’s Allowance | |
| Aged 25 or above | €244 |
| Under 25 | €153.70 |
| Qualified Adult (25 or above) | €162 |
| Qualified Adult (under 25)0 | €153.70 |
- Disability and Illness
| Benefit | Maxi. Weekly Rate |
| Illness Benefit/ Disability Allowance/ Blind Pension | |
| Personal Rate | €244 |
| Qualified Adult | €162 |
- Carers
| Benefit | Maxi. Weekly Rate |
| Carer’s Benefit | |
| Personal Rate | €249 |
| Carer’s Allowance | |
| Under 66 | €266 |
| Aged 66 or above | €298 |
| Others | |
| Domiciliary Care allowance | €360 per month |
| Carer’s Support Grant | €2000 a year |
These are some important benefits, the Ireland citizens can check the other social welfare payments increases for 2025 on the citizen information website.
Payment Date Change
The payment date for April 2025 may change for some recipients due to the Easter bank holiday on 21 April 2025. So, the Irish Social Welfare payment recipients whose benefit payment is scheduled for upcoming Monday can expect their payment earlier on 18 April 2025 (Friday).
The bank holidays may affect your Social Welfare payment day, hence you should mark the following 2025 bank holidays to expect the payment earlier:
- 21 April 2025 Easter
- 05 May 2024 May Day
- 02 June 2025 June Bank holiday
- 04 August 2025 August Bank Holiday
- 27 October 2025 October Bank Holiday
- 25 December 2025 Christmas Day
- 26 December 2025 St Stephen’s Day
The citizens should also know that the Fuel Allowance benefit runs from September to April, hence the 2024 allowance ended on 04 April 2025, and now the new allowance will begin from September 2025.
New Initiative
The government has announced a new initiative in Budget 2025 for families with newborns. Under this initiative, the government will offer a grant of up to €280 to families with a new baby or an adopted child after 01 December 2024 and when they are eligible for the Child benefit from birth.
The government has taken this step to support the new parents with the rising cost of raising a child and ensure the baby is healthy and nourished. If the family has blessed twins, they will receive the grant for each child.
The new baby grant will be processed for the eligible family with the first month’s child benefit payment. The families will receive the Child Benefit up to €140 per child in 2025 as well, there is no change from the 2024 payment amount.
The Social Welfare payment is increased, and the recipients should check their payout when they receive the payment from the Department of Social Protection.