Additional £60 Christmas Bonus payments to be made

Margaret Ritchie, the Social Development Minister has announced details of the payment arrangements for the £60 additional Christmas Bonus payments.

The Minister said: " Many vulnerable people in our society will benefit directly by this additional financial support. The £60 increase is equivalent to bringing forward the annual uprating of basic State Pension from April to January. It is also good news for those non-pensioners who receive the Christmas Bonus – for example people who are long term sick, carers and disabled people. I am sure that everyone will warmly welcome this additional help."

Notes to Editors:

1. The payments will be made automatically by the Social Security Agency beginning this month to State Pension customers.
2. Everyone else who normally receives the Christmas Bonus payment will be paid the additional amount during February and March.
3. The payments will be made by direct payment to customers’ bank accounts or by cheque.
4. Media enquiries to DSD Press Office tel 0289082900 or out of office hours contact the EIS Duty Press Officer tel. 07699715440 and your call will be returned.