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Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys, TD, has announced that all weekly social welfare payments, which had been moved to a biweekly schedule since the end of March, will be fully reset to be paid weekly starting Monday, March 2. November 2020.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, weekly welfare payments were switched to a biweekly schedule beginning March 23. This measure was kept under review and, in August, the Department changed a series of payments to a weekly payment schedule. These included the single-parent family pay, the working family pay, the sickness benefit, the job search allowance and the job search benefit.
Clients who receive the remaining payments, for example, contributory, non-contributory state pensions, widow’s pensions, caregiver allowance and caregiver benefit, will receive their last double week payment in the week beginning Monday, October 19 and will return to receive your payment. every week from the week beginning November 2.
These clients will continue to have the option of collecting their welfare payment at their post office each week or at any time for up to 90 days.
Minister Humphreys commented:
My Department introduced the two-week payment schedule to better manage the passage at post offices and banks and promote social distancing. This allowed for greater adherence to public health guidelines around Covid-19.
I would like to assure these customers who will be returning to the weekly payment program from the beginning of November that they will still have the option to collect their payment at their post office for up to 90 days. Some clients prefer to manage their finances weekly rather than fortnightly and I really appreciate that. There may be others who prefer to collect their welfare payment every fortnight and I want to give them that option.
After recent discussions with representatives of the Irish Postmasters Union and Debbie Byrne of An Post Retail, I am delighted to have the post office welfare payment schedule available to customers on a weekly basis. In addition to offering options to our customers, this measure will support local businesses, our post offices and local communities.
Minister Humphreys also acknowledged other arrangements implemented by An Post during the Covid-19 pandemic. The positive customer options implemented by An Post will continue, including reserved opening on Fridays from 9am to 4pm. M. At 11.00 a. M. For those with higher risk, extended due dates for payments and the role of temporary agent for clients. This covers beneficiaries of pensions, disability and care payments from the Department of Labor Affairs and Social Protection.
Debbie Byrne, MD of An Post Retail said:
The return to weekly payments will be welcomed by customers, postal administrators, and the communities we serve. The measure will be a shot in the arm for local economies and SMEs.
An Post’s partnership with the Department of Social Protection has worked well and to the benefit of clients in recent months. We look forward to further developing that partnership in the coming months.
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