Cost of living changes that are coming into effect as the new budget commences
Cllr Ben Ward has detailed the changes upcoming
Carlow Councillor Ben Ward has detailed the changes that are coming in effect over the coming weeks as Budget 2025 changes start from January 1st.
The changes have been detailed by Cllr and have been described as "cost-of-living" changes that are coming into effect.
The list of changes detailed in the social media post are as follows:
-€12 increase in most weekly social welfare payments. There will be proportionate increases for qualified adults and people getting a reduced rate
-€15 increase in Maternity Benefit, Paternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit and Parent's Benefit
-Weekly rates of Child Support Payment (previously known as Increase for a Qualified Child) will increase by €8 to €62 for those aged 12 and over, and by €4 to €50 for those under 12
-Newborn Baby Grant of €280 in addition to the first month of Child Benefit (€140) for children born on or after 1 December 2024
-The income thresholds for the Working Family Payment will increase by €60 a week regardless of family size
-Extend Carer's Benefit to people who are self-employed
-Carer's Allowance will become a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the Fuel Allowance means test
-€20 increase a month in Domiciliary Care Allowance
-The amount not taken into account when you sell your home to move into care will increase to €337,500 from January 2025 for those who get State Pension (Non-contributory) , or Disability Allowance or Blind Pension
-Means test disregard for Fuel Allowance extended to those aged 66 and over - €524 (single person) and €1,048 (couple) meaning more people will qualify for this support
-€125 energy credit paid to all households from January 1st
-Employees can get some vouchers or other non-cash benefits each year without paying tax on them. From 1 January 2025, there will be an increase in the maximum exemption, from €1,000 to €1,500. This can include up to 5 non-cash benefits per year (an increase from 2 benefits per year).
-The national minimum wage will increase by 80 cents to €13.50 per hour.
-The 4% rate of Universal Social Charge (USC) will be reduced to 3%
-The VAT charged for installing a heat pump will be reduced from the standard rate at 23% to the 9% reduced rate.
The full post can be found on Councillor Ben Ward's Facebook page HERE or by following the social post below this article.