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The Irish Sun
6 days ago
- General
- The Irish Sun
‘Vulnerable people paying price' alert as social welfare appeal wait times for key group skyrocket amid €625 shake-up
IRELAND'S most vulnerable people are paying the price for a botched social welfare system, it's been claimed, as people are waiting weeks for their carer's allowance appeal outcome. 3 Carer's allowance appeals are being granted more frequently according to new figures Credit: Getty 3 A new boost to the payment will come in July Credit: Getty The Carer's Allowance is a weekly social It's a means-tested payment given to the primary carer for each person being cared for. An appeal can be made if someone's claim to the allowance is not granted. And figures show that there has been a 33.73 per cent increase in the waiting times for those who have appealed the initial decision. Read more in Money It means that, should someone's claim to the welfare be rejected on first application, they could be waiting up to 23 weeks to get a second opinion. And as the wait times increase, so too do the number of appeals which are granted. O'Reilly said: "While appeal waiting times are increasing, appeal success rates are also increasing. "In 2024, a third of all those who appealed their application for 'We have a system that forces our society's most vulnerable through an arduous administrative process that is onerous, alienating, humiliating and pushes them further into poverty. Most read in The Irish Sun "Many give up along the way, or do not realise that if they just appeal the same application that was rejected they have a very good chance of acceptance." PUSHED INTO POVERTY The "Those waiting for a decision on their appeal have reported forgoing to see a 'A shocking proportion of respondents report going into debt while waiting for social welfare income payments. 'While the Minister for Social Protection may have hired more staff to act as deciding officers, these figures show that this strategy alone is not sufficient. PAYING THE PRICE "I encourage the department to be transparent and share its protocols and circulars used to instruct deciding officers. 'These issues run deeper than staff shortages. There is a clear issue with the department's management culture, and Ireland's most vulnerable people are paying the price.' O'Reilly's claims have come just weeks after a major INCOME DISREGARD Minister for Social Protection It means that a certain amount of a person's earning will not be taken into account when they apply for social welfare payments. The income disregard means that Carer's Allowance will be increased from €450 to €625 for each individual person being cared for. And it will be upped from €900 to €1,250 for a person with a spouse or partner. He said: "The income disregards for carers are already the most generous in the social welfare system and are being further improved. "This July, the weekly income disregard will increase further from €450 to €625 for a single person, and from €900 to €1,250 for carers with a spouse or partner. "This means that a carer in a two-adult household with an income of approximately €69,000 will still retain their full carer's payment and even with an income of €97,000 will retain a partial payment." He added: "Means tests are used within the social welfare system to target the support to those most in need in a manner that is progressive in terms of income distribution. He added: "There are currently 99,256 people in receipt of carer's allowance, which accounts for €1.24 billion of my Department's budget." 3 Louise O'Reilly claimed the most vulnerable are paying the price for the wait times Credit: Getty
Leader Live
21-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
DWP Universal Credit, State Pension, Child Benefit changes
Monday May 26 is the second bank holiday in May, where payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) won't be made. If you are due to receive a DWP benefit payment, you may find you receive it early. While this may be positive for some claimants, others may find it harder to budget, with longer until their next payment is due. Payments due on Monday 26 May will usually be made on Friday 23 May. If your payment is due on a different day, it will arrive in your account as normal and the amount you are due to be paid will remain the same. These are the benefits that may be affected by the two May bank holiday weekends: Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Child Benefit Disability Living Allowance Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) State pension Tax Credits Universal Credit While you may be paid earlier in some cases, the money will also have to last you longer, as payment dates will return to normal afterwards. Recommended reading: Fiona Peake, Personal Finance Expert at Ocean Finance, says: 'Getting your money on Friday instead of the Monday might feel like a win going into the long weekend, but it means you'll have three extra days to stretch it. "That can throw your budget out, especially if you're living week to week. It's not always easy to hold back spending when your account's just been topped up but blowing through your benefit early could leave you short when it really matters. 'Most benefits hit accounts in the early hours, but if yours hasn't arrived by midday Friday, check your bank again before panicking. If nothing shows up, get on the phone. Don't wait until after the bank holiday when lines will be jammed. Contact Universal Credit, PIP or your relevant benefits line before 5pm Friday so there's still time to get help. 'Some people get caught out by thinking they'll always get their benefits early around a bank holiday. That's not the case. If your next due date falls on a normal working day, your payment will be back to its usual timing and if you've spent early, you might already be playing catch-up.' Five easy ways to make your money last over the bank holiday Freeze your card on payday: 'Sounds extreme, but if you've got a habit of splurging as soon as money lands, hit pause," says Fiona. "Most banking apps let you freeze your debit card instantly. It gives you a cooling-off period before impulse buys.' Treat Friday like Monday: 'Don't think of the early payment as a bonus. It's not. Treat Friday 23 May like it's your usual payday and plan your week as normal.' Check your direct debits: 'The early payment might not line up with when your bills go out, and that can leave you short just as rent or utilities come calling. Log into your bank now and check your direct debit dates. Shifting them by a few days can help you avoid missed payments and overdraft charges.' Stock up on cupboard staples: 'If you've got a bit of wiggle room, grab extra essentials like pasta, rice, and tinned goods. That way, if money's tight in the last few days before your next payment, you've got back-up.' Use the 'spare change' trick: 'Round up every spend to the nearest pound and stash the difference using an app or savings pot. It might only be a few quid, but it adds up fast and it's perfect for emergencies.' How about other bank holidays in 2025? These are the bank holidays in 2025, and the expected payment dates. (Image: DWP) Public holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you. Local holidays in Scotland Your payment might be delayed because of local holidays if you live in the following places: Glasgow - local holiday on 29 September Edinburgh - local holiday on 15 September Dundee - local holiday on 6 October Check with your bank for the date you'll get your payment.
Daily Mirror
20-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
DWP shake-up will see thousands get Universal Credit payments early this week
Thousands of Universal Credit claimants will have their benefit payments paid three days earlier than normal this week. The second bank holiday in May falls next Monday on May, 26. As the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) doesn't make payments on bank holidays, if you were due money on Monday, May 26, then you will have had it paid earlier on Friday, May 23 instead. The change is completely normal as it aims to ensure claimants have access to their benefits before the long weekend to prevent any financial strains that delayed payments could cause. If you were not aware of this, the early payment may come as a surprise. If your benefit payment is affected by this month's bank holiday, then you do not need to do anything. The DWP will pay the money into your account as normal - just a little earlier. The amount you get will also remain the same, and it will also be paid into the same account in which you normally receive your benefit payment. The next payment shake-up will come in August with the August bank holiday which this year falls on August 25. After this, payment dates will be shaken up again in December because of the Christmas bank holidays. If your money does not arrive in your account on the new payment date, you will need to contact the department that pays your benefit as soon as possible. You can find the relevant support numbers on the government's official website. You can reach its Universal Credit helpline on 0800 328 5644. It's important to note that support lines are not open on the bank holiday so you will need to contact them the day the payment is due. If not, you will have to wait until after the bank holidays. Join Money Saving Club's specialist topics In association with Money Saving Club For all you savvy savers and bargain hunters out there, there's a golden opportunity to stretch your pounds further. The Money Saving Club newsletter, a favourite among thousands who thrive on catching the best deals, is stepping up its game. Simply follow the link and select one or more of the following topics to get all the latest deals and advice on: Travel; Property; Pets, family and home; Personal finance; Shopping and discounts; Utilities. SIGN UP HERE Depending on your bank, your benefit payments are available sometime after midnight on the day they are due. Some banks deposit money into your account around 11.30pm so you can withdraw it before midnight on benefits payday. It's also very important to note that although receiving your benefits earlier may sound like a good thing, it does mean that you need to make your money last longer. When are benefits normally paid? Attendance Allowance - Usually every four weeks Carer's Allowance - Weekly in advance or every four weeks Child Benefit - Usually every four weeks Disability Living Allowance - Usually every four weeks Employment and Support Allowance - Usually every two weeks Income Support - Usually every two weeks Jobseeker's Allowance - Usually every two weeks Pension Credit - Usually every four weeks Personal Independence Payment - Usually every four weeks State Pension - Usually every four weeks Universal Credit - Every month
The Irish Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Thousands of Irish can pick up social welfare payment EARLY today or face 4-day delay in major shake-up for every boost
THOUSANDS of Irish people due to collect their social welfare payment on Monday and have been urged to pick it up today instead. Those who don't pocket the cash before 5pm this evening could 1 Every payment due on Monday will be affected by the schedule shake-up Credit: Getty Images - Getty Those who pick up their social welfare payment from the Post Office may have extra time to collect it as the institution doesn't fully close on the Saturday. However, all banks, Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed from this evening until Tuesday morning. And although Those picking up their READ MORE IN MONEY The Department of Social Protection said: "Monday 5 May is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any social welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 5 May will now be paid on Friday 2 May instead. "Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday 6 May. "All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday 5 May. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will reopen on Tuesday 6 May." The Department of Social Protection has confirmed that some of those who miss the early payment will still be able to get the cash boost. MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN The State PAYMENT DATE RULES SOME social welfare payments must be picked up on the day they are paid out. They include: Farm Assist - paid on Tuesday Jobseeker's Allowance - paid on Tuesday Jobseeker's Benefit - paid on Wednesday Jobseeker's Benefit (Self-Employed) - paid on Wednesday Jobseeker's Transitional payment - paid on Thursday One-Parent Family Payment - paid on Thursday Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme - paid on Friday If you can't collect your payment on the day that it is paid, you should contact your local Intreo Centre. It is understood that Those who are due to this month will also be impacted by the schedule shake-up. The €280 grant is paid on the same day as Child Benefit, the first Tuesday of each month. It is handed out alongside the child's And Minister for CHILD BENEFIT PAY DATES WE have compiled a list of all the dates Child Benefit is set to be paid out for the rest of the year - including the months the boost could be paid early. 6th May - paid early due to May Bank Holiday 3rd June - may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday 1st July 5th August - may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday 2nd September 7th October 4th November He explained: "As part of "This is paid to families of babies born on or after 1 December 2024 in addition to their regular first month's Child Benefit payment of €140." The This means parents whose child is born or adopted on or after December 1 2024 qualify for the New Born Baby grant.
Powys County Times
27-04-2025
- Business
- Powys County Times
DWP benefits and pensions changes May Bank holiday 2025
Universal Credit, State Pensions, Child Benefit, PIP and other benefits may be affected by changes due to the May bank holidays next month. Both Monday May 5 and Monday May 26 are bank holidays where payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) won't be made. If you are due to receive a DWP benefit payment on either day, you may find you receive it early. When a payment date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, then the Department for Work and Pensions says the claimant is generally paid on the working day before. Payments due on the first bank holiday on Monday 5 May will now be made on Friday 2 May, while payments due on Monday 26 May will be made on Friday 23 May. If your payment is due on a different day, it will arrive in your account as normal and the amount you are due to be paid will remain the same. These are the benefits that may be affected by the two May bank holiday weekends: Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Child Benefit Disability Living Allowance Employment and Support Allowance Income Support Jobseeker's Allowance Pension Credit Personal Independence Payment (PIP) State pension Tax Credits Universal Credit While you may be paid earlier in some cases, the money will also have to last you longer, as payment dates will return to normal afterwards. How about other bank holidays in 2025? These are the bank holidays in 2025, and the expected payment dates. Public holidays in Scotland and Northern Ireland Your payment might be delayed if the bank is closed for a public holiday on the day HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) pays you. Local holidays in Scotland Your payment might be delayed because of local holidays if you live in the following places:
