One major group to see social welfare increase in upcoming budget

Budget 2027 is still months away but the government have began deliberating on measures to roll out – one big group is confirmed to get a weekly social welfare hike

The government have confirmed one group to be in line for a social welfare rate increase in the upcoming budget.

Budget 2027 is months away but the cabinet are already deliberating on what measures they hope to roll out.

One such measure is a hike to the rate of the Living Alone Allowance.

The Living Alone Increase is an extra payment for people who are living alone and getting a social welfare payment.

It is a €22 a week payment which adds up to an additional income of €1,144 per year.

Social Protection Minister Dara Calleary said a hike to the Living Alone Allowance is a priority in the run-up to Budget 2027.

“People living alone, particularly in their older years on fixed incomes, we need to support them more,” he told the Sunday Independent. “There are a lot of complications and a lot of conditionality around the payment at the moment. If you are married or in a relationship and your partner dies and you are on a fixed income, you are left with the same expenses.

“You might have an adult living with you and a child. It’s a very important payment.”

If you are aged 66 or over and live alone, you will qualify for the Living Alone Increase if you are getting one of the following payments: State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory), Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension. Bereaved Partner’s Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme,Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme or Deserted Wife’s Benefit.

If you are under 66 and live alone, you will qualify for the Living Alone Increase if you’re getting one of the following payments: Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement, Blind Pension.

For the full details of the payment click here.

As well as the Living Alone Allowance increase, Mr Calleary said his priorities would focus on designing a new Cost of Dis­ability payment, further measures aimed at reducing child poverty and targeted measures to help with the cost of living.

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