In the first week of December 2024 the Christmas Bonus will be paid to pensioners and long term welfare claimants . In the week beginning 16th December – there will be a double payment for all weekly paid recipients – as explained below.
All of the Department of Social Protection’s offices will be closed on Wednesday 25th December and Thursday 26th December 2024 and Wednesday 1st January 2025.
All the Banks in Ireland will be closed on Wednesday 25th December 2024 and will not re-open until Monday 30th December 2024 .
(If your branch normally opens on a Saturday they may open on Dec 28th).
Banks will also be closed on 1st January 2025 . More here about Banks Christmas Opening
Post Offices will close at 1pm on Dec 24th and will not reopen until Monday 30th December 2024 . Post Offices will also be closed on 1st January 2025.
There will be no mail delivery or collection on December 25th ,26th or 27th 2024.
Social Welfare Payment Arrangements for Christmas 2024. (Double Week)
- 1. Payments for People who are paid weekly and collect their payments at Post Offices.
- All people who are paid weekly will get a double payment in the week commencing December 16th. This will be their normal weekly payment PLUS an advance/”double” payment for the following week.
- There will be no “regular” weekly payments during the week beginning Monday 23rd December 2024 .
- Payments due on 30th and 31st December will be paid as normal.
- Any weekly payments due for collection on Wednesday 1st January 2025 will be available for collection on Tuesday 31st December 2024.
6. Casual Jobseekers
If you claim Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit on a casual basis, you will need to return your dockets for the signing weeks ending 17th /18th December, and 24/25 December to your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office on or before 11 December 2024.
Where dockets are provided by this date, two payments covering the signing weeks ending 17 and 24 December or 18 and 25 December will be paid into accounts on Friday, 20th December.
List of Bank Holidays in Ireland