Budget 2027 · Pensions and welfare
Budget 2027 pension and social welfare increases
Weekly welfare rates usually rise in January after the Budget. Here are the current rates, last year's increase, and what has been reported for Budget 2027.
Updated 4 October 2026. Budget day is Tuesday 6 October 2026.
Before, now and Budget 2027
Pensions and welfare: what's going up, what's going down
In Budget 2026, of the 7 rates shown: 6 went up, 0 went down and 1 stayed the same.
| What | Before Budget 2026 | Now | Budget 2027 |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Pension (Contributory)Personal rate, under 80From January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €289.30 a week | €299.30 a week+€10 | Due 6 Oct |
| State Pension (Non-Contributory)Aged 66 to 79From January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €278 a week | €288 a week+€10 | Due 6 OctReported: RTÉ reported on 26 September that a €7.50 increase is being considered, which would bring this to €295.50. Not decided. RTÉ News |
| Jobseeker's AllowanceAged 25 and overFrom January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €244 a week | €254 a week+€10 | Due 6 Oct |
| Disability AllowancePersonal rateFrom January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €244 a week | €254 a week+€10 | Due 6 Oct |
| Carer's AllowanceUnder 66From January 2026Source: Citizens Information | €260 a week | €270 a week+€10 | Due 6 Oct |
| Fuel AllowanceDuring the fuel seasonFrom January 2026; Working Family Payment now qualifiesSource: Citizens Information | €33 a week | €38 a week+€5 | Due 6 OctReported: Government sources told RTÉ a bonus week of fuel allowance is among the demands being weighed. Not decided. RTÉ News |
| Living Alone IncreaseAdded to a qualifying paymentUnchanged in Budget 2026Source: Citizens Information | €22 a week | €22 a weekNo change | Due 6 Oct |
Predictions
What's expected in Budget 2027
From named reports, with exact quotes. These are not decisions until Budget day.
3 likely1 possible
- Likely
Pensions and welfare up €7.50 to €10 a week
Reports differ on the size. Last year's increase was €10 a week. Either figure would apply from January.
an increase of at least €7.50 across all social welfare payments, from pensions to those on jobseekers allowance, is anticipated.
Irish Examiner, Elaine Loughlin · 28 Septa figure of €10 a week, the same as the last budget, in now on the cards.
The Irish Times · 16 SeptThe Government is considering raising the weekly State pension by €7.50 as part of Budget 2027.
RTÉ News · 26 Sept
Will it happen? - Likely
Fuel Allowance up €5 to €43 a week
Paid to about 470,000 households over the colder months. A lump sum was also considered.
looks set to increase by €5 a week to €43.
The Irish Times · 16 SeptThe likely €5 increase in the fuel allowance and its potential extension into spring next year
RTÉ News, Fiachra Ó Cionnaith · 27 Sept
Will it happen? - Likely
A new cost-of-disability payment, possibly €500 a year
Promised in the Programme for Government. Reports suggest one or two lump sums a year, smaller than campaigners want.
The Government has long talked about introducing a cost of disability payment, which will now be announced on budget day.
Irish Examiner, Elaine Loughlin · 28 SeptIt looks likely to be €500 a year.
The Irish Times · 16 Sept
Will it happen? - Possible
Living Alone Increase up €5 a week
Pushed by the Independent ministers in the Government. It is now €22 a week.
It is now expected that the support could be increased by €5 per week.
Irish Examiner, Elaine Loughlin · 28 Sept
Will it happen?
Questions
Pensions and welfare: your questions answered
RTÉ reported that a €7.50 weekly increase is being considered, but nothing is decided until Budget day. The contributory State pension is currently €299.30 a week for under-80s.
That will be confirmed on Budget day. Budget 2026 raised most weekly payments by €10 from January 2026, so Jobseeker's Allowance, Disability Allowance and the One-Parent Family Payment are now €254 a week.
Budget 2026 confirmed a 100% Christmas Bonus for December 2025. The Christmas Bonus is usually confirmed in the Budget, and this page will update when it is.
€38 a week since January 2026, up €5. People getting the Working Family Payment became eligible from 2026.
€270 a week for carers under 66 and €308 for carers 66 and over. From July 2026 the weekly income disregard rose to €1,000 for a single person and €2,000 for a couple.
The Irish Times and RTÉ report a likely €5 rise, from €38 to €43 a week. It will be confirmed on Budget day.
The Irish Examiner reports that a cost-of-disability payment will be announced on Budget day. The Irish Times reports it is likely to be €500 a year, paid as one or two lump sums.
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