Hundreds of thousands of households will receive payments totalling €230 million this week to help with cost-of-living expenses.
Over the next few days the supports, announced in the Budget, will be paid to those in fuel poverty, people with disabilities and low-income families.
In total, nine different lump sum payments are to be paid to various recipients between November and January.
A €300 fuel allowance payment will be paid to 409,000 households, while a €400 disability support grant will be paid to 214,000 people with disabilities.
45,000 working families will also receive the €400 Working Family Payment.
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys announced details of the payments.
People will receive the funds in addition to and on the same day that they usually receive their primary payment.
The week starting Monday 4 December will see the Christmas bonus paid out, and the double payment of Child Benefit to support all families with children.
