Q. I am saving to take my kids on holiday next year. Someone told me that I have to inform Social Welfare if I’m on a payment. Is this true? And if so, how does it work?
A. In general you can take up to two weeks holidays each year and continue to have your Social Welfare payment paid. However, you must always contact your local Intreo centre, branch office, or your community welfare officer to check your entitlements before planning or going on holidays.
You must inform the department in advance of any absences from the State, for example for holidays or funerals abroad.
If your holidays are longer than two weeks or you expect to be abroad for an extended period, your Social Welfare payment may not be paid.
If you are already getting Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Pay-Related Benefit, Jobseekers Benefit or Jobseekers for the self-employed, you must contact your local Intreo Centre or branch office to check your entitlements before going away.
You are entitled to be absent from the State, for example for holidays or funerals abroad, for two weeks (14 days) every calendar year, and get the two weeks payment when you return. You must always tell them in advance of leaving the State.
For those parenting alone it is slightly different. If you are getting One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment, you can be absent from the State for a maximum of three weeks in each calendar year and get the three weeks payment when you return. Again, you must notify your local Intreo centre or branch office before taking your holiday.
And for those aged 65-66, if you are getting Benefit Payment for 65-year-olds or if you are between 65 and 66 years old and getting Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Benefit for the Self-Employed, you may be temporarily absent from the State for longer than two weeks in a calendar year.
There is no time limit prescribed. However, the absence must be temporary, and you must not engage in gainful employment or self-employment while absent from the State.
Our advice is regardless to which payment you are on, to check with Intreo well in advance and let them know the dates you are leaving and returning. You may be asked by Social Welfare for your flight bookings or boarding cards as evidence, so hold onto them and bring them along to Intreo on your return from holidays.
Thanks to all our readers for your questions over 2025. Wishing you all a joyful New Year!