As the New Year approaches, households across Ireland will be putting plans in place to deal with the ongoing cost of living crisis.
After an expensive month of partying and buying gifts, some may be having to buckle down into 2023 in order to save some cash for rising bills.
While price increases are inevitable, the New Year also marks the beginning of new changes to several social welfare schemes which may mean you newly qualify for welfare benefits you were unable to get before.
READ MORE: Cost of living: Hundreds of parents in Ireland to receive €300 in February 2023
So before you sit down to budget for the months ahead, here are the schemes that will be changing in January or may help people struggling financially:
Fuel Allowance
If you have never qualified for Fuel Allowance before, it should be noted that in January 2023, the income threshold will increase from €120 to €200 above the applicable State Pension (Contributory) rate for people aged under 70.
People aged 70 and over can qualify for Fuel Allowance as long as their weekly means, which includes their State Pension, is not above €500 per week for a single person and €1,000 per week for a couple.
Disablement Benefit and half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance.
To receive a Fuel Allowance, people must meet the criteria set out by the scheme, which includes living alone, living in Ireland and getting one of the qualifying social welfare payments.
The government has given an extra once off payment of Fuel Allowance this year which was paid on top of the normal seasonal allowance that is paid during the winter months.
You can learn more about this payment here.
Working Family Payment
Working Family Payment, formerly known as Family Income Supplement, is a weekly tax-free payment for employees that have children.
The Working Family Payment income limits will increase by €40 across all family sizes in January 2023.
It aims to support people who are on low pay, with certain criteria set out for those to qualify for it, including:
Work 38 or more hours per fortnight (in any combination of hours). You can combine your weekly hours with your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's hours to meet this condition. You cannot use time spent in self-employment (or on Community Employment, Tús, JobBridge or the Rural Social Scheme) to meet this condition.
- Your job is likely to last at least 3 months
- You have at least one child who normally lives with you
- You earn less than the WFP income limit set for your family size
You can read more about this payment here.
Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
The Housing Assistance Payment is a social housing support for people who have a long-term housing need.
Those receiving the support must have their rent meet the rent limits, which are dependent on the size of your family.
However, local authorities are now able to go up to 35% above the HAP rent limits.
You can learn more about this payment here.
Additional Needs Payment
The Additional Needs Payment was announced earlier this year and aims to help people with an expense that they cannot pay from their weekly income.
There is no set amount people can receive as it instead depends on your circumstances and the type of help you need.
You can get the Additional Needs Payment for:
- An increase in your fuel or electricity costs
- Essential repairs to property, including motor vehicles and replacing household appliances and furniture
- Funeral costs
- Deposits for private rented accommodation
- Bedding and cooking utensils, if you are setting up home for the first time
- Food, clothing and shelter after an emergency event such as a fire or flood
- Recurring travel costs to hospital
- Visiting a relative in hospital or prison
This is not a complete list, other expenses can be covered too
You can learn more about this payment here.
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