31,000 social welfare recipients in Clare will be paid a Christmas bonus this year.
Pensioners, carers, lone parents, long-term recipients of the pandemic unemployment payment (PUP), persons with disabilities and those on various jobseekers allowances will get to avail of the Christmas Bonus, the criteria of which was altered this year by Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys (FG).
Among the changes is the qualifying period for individuals in receipt of an eligible Jobseeker’s payment which was reduced to 12 months from 15 months.
Senator Martin Conway (FG) acknowledged that Christmas was an expensive time of year for families. “I therefore really welcome the fact that we are once again in a position to provide a 100% Christmas Bonus this year.
“For me, it’s really important, where possible, that people spend their Christmas Bonus locally. We all know the difficult year that businesses in Clare have endured due to Covid-19. By making a special effort to shop locally this year, we will support local retailers and local jobs”.
Minister Humphreys confirmed that the 100% bonus will be paid into people’s bank accounts or their post offices this month depending on the type of payment they receive.
