Clare pensioners and carers benefit from October bonus payment

ALMOST 60,000 Clare people will benefit from the October bonus payment to pensioners, carers and people with disabilities, according to Clare Fine Gael General Election candidate Leonora Carey.

“It’s the first of ten lump sum payments to help with the cost of living over the coming weeks which include a €300 payment for those in receipt of the Fuel Allowance and a €200 lump sum for those in receipt of the Living Alone Allowance.

“There will also be a €400 Carers and Disability Support payment in November as well as double payments of Child Benefit in both November and December,” Ms Carey added.

“Next week’s October bonus will support an estimated 1.4 million people across the State, almost 60,000 of them in Clare, by providing a 100 per cent increase in the weekly rate of payment for pensioners, carers and people with disabilities.

“This level of support is only possible because of Fine Gael’s careful management of the economy. People who need it most will experience a real impact from this extra support. For those who are struggling in the here and now, the cost-of-living payments will put more money back in their pockets. 

“As a carer myself, I understand the importance of these payments to those who care for loved ones. For pensioners and people with disabilities, these payments will also offer some much-needed relief in these challenging times.

“The recent budget included the largest social protection package in the history of the State and it will bring immediate assistance to hard-pressed households through a mix of lump sum payments, increased weekly payments and targeted supports and,” Ms Carey concluded.