Social welfare payments increase by €5 per week
By Brendan Grehan
AN INCREASE in weekly social welfare payments has been welcomed by Frances Fitzgerald, Fine Gael TD for Dublin Mid-West.
On Monday March 26, social welfare payments increased by €5 per week for those on maximum weekly rates, with proportionate increases for those on reduced rates. It is the second year of increases for lone parents, jobseekers, carers, people with disabilities, widows, people on employment programmes and the third increase for Pensioners.
Social welfare office in Clondalkin
Deputy Fitzgerald told The Echo: “Increases to the social welfare budget will provide further support for families who are in most need.
“Older members of our communities, in particular, a new weekly Telephone Support Allowance will be paid from June to those receiving the Living Alone Allowance”.
Other supports have also been increased. The weekly Fuel Allowance of €22.50 will be paid for 27 weeks in 2018, extended from 26 weeks, and an extra €10 million is being provided towards the Free Travel Scheme in 2018, increasing the funding to €90 million.
Weekly income thresholds for the working family payment will increase by €10 per week for families with up to three children.
One-Parent Family Payment
The income disregard for One-Parent Family Payment and Jobseeker’s Transition recipients will increase, by €20 to €130 per week.
A €2 increase for each qualified dependent child will be made in all weekly payments – the first such increase since 2010.
Deputy Fitzgerald said: “These supports are part of a raft of measures to create a brighter future for those who need it most in our communities across Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan, Palmerstown, Newcastle, Rathcoole, Saggart and Brittas. These supports continue the process of building a fairer and more inclusive society, incentivise and reward work and strengthen welfare supports for those who may need them.”
