Social welfare payments will return to weekly schedule from November

Weekly social welfare payments, which had been moved to a fortnightly schedule from the end of March will be fully restored to being paid weekly with effect from the start of November.

They had been changed to a fortnightly schedule from March 23, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In August, the Department moved a number of payments back to a weekly payment schedule. These included One-parent Family Payment, Working Family Payment, Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Jobseeker’s Benefit.

Customers who are in receipt of the remaining payments - e.g. State Pension Contributory, Non-Contributory, Widows pensions, Carer’s Allowance and Carer’s Benefit – will receive their last double week payment in the week commencing Monday October 19 and will revert to receiving their payment each week from the week beginning November 2.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys said: “I would like to re-assure these customers who will be returning to the weekly payment schedule from the start of November that they will still have the choice of collecting their payment at their post office for up to 90 days. 

"Some customers prefer to manage their finances weekly rather than fortnightly and I fully appreciate that. There may be others who prefer to collect their social welfare payment every fortnight and I want to give them that choice.

“Following recent discussions with representatives from the Irish Postmasters Union and with Debbie Byrne of An Post Retail, I am very pleased to arrange for the social welfare payment schedule at post offices to be available to customers weekly. In addition to giving choice to our customers, this measure will support local business, our post offices and local communities.” 

Minister Humphreys also acknowledged other arrangements put in place by An Post during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Debbie Byrne, MD of An Post Retail said: “The return to weekly payments will be welcomed by customers, postmasters and the communities we serve. The move will be a shot in the arm for local economies and SMEs.

“An Post’s partnership with the Department of Social Protection worked well and to the benefit of customers in recent months. We look forward to further developing that partnership in the months to come.”