If you're searching for the €250 energy credit or a cost-of-living double payment this year — here's the honest answer: they're gone. Budget 2026 ended the universal once-off payments and put the money into permanent increases instead. Here's exactly what that means for your pocket.
Quick facts
- Once-off energy credit
- None in 2026 (ended)
- Weekly payments
- +€10 from January 2026
- Fuel Allowance
- +€5 to €38 per week
- Christmas Bonus
- 100% — paid December 2025
The big change: no more once-off payments
For the last few winters, households got a run of universal once-off supports — electricity credits (€250 last year), double welfare weeks and lump sums that added up to roughly €960 for some families. Budget 2026 scrapped all of that. The Government says the once-off approach isn't sustainable and has switched to permanent, targeted increases.
What you get instead (from January 2026)
- +€10 a week on most weekly social welfare payments — State Pension, Jobseeker's, Disability Allowance, Carer's, One-Parent Family Payment and more.
- Child Support Payment (the increase for a child) rises to €58/week for under-12s (+€8) and €78/week for 12-and-over (+€16) — the largest such increase in the history of the State.
- Fuel Allowance up €5 to €38 a week — and for the first time, Working Family Payment households qualify for it.
- Working Family Payment income limits rise by €60 a week for every family size, so more working families qualify.
The Christmas Bonus (paid December 2025)
A 100% Christmas Bonus — an extra week's payment — goes to almost 1.5 million long-term social welfare recipients in December 2025 (funded with €370m). If you're on a qualifying long-term payment, you don't apply; it's paid automatically.
Am I better or worse off?
It depends. If you're a long-term welfare recipient or pensioner, the permanent €10-a-week rise is worth about €520 over the year — more than a one-off credit, and it keeps coming. If you're a middle-income household who relied on the universal energy credit but doesn't get weekly payments, you've lost that support with nothing one-off to replace it. Check exactly what applies to you below.
Common questions
Is there an energy credit in 2026?
When do the increases start?
Do Working Family Payment families really get Fuel Allowance now?
Where can I check what I'm entitled to?
Check the official sources
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Rules, rates and eligibility change and differ by country — always confirm the current details with the relevant official body before you act.
Keep going
Not sure what you can claim in 2026?
See every payment, credit and allowance you may be entitled to in Ireland — free, in about 60 seconds.
Check What You're Owed →💶 One email a week. Money you can claim.
Join free — the top grants, credits and deadlines for Ireland, NI & England, every week.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime. We don't sell your data.