Paternity Benefit

Paternity Benefit is a payment to employed and self-employed people who are:

• on paternity leave from work
• covered by social insurance (PRSI)

Paternity Benefit is €289 a week, for two weeks, taken consecutively.

It is available for any child born or adopted after 1 September 2016.

Paternity Benefit can only begin on or after the birth date or estimated due date of the child.

If you are already on certain social welfare payments, you may get half-rate Paternity Benefit. You will be paid for two weeks. You can start paternity leave at any time within the first 26 weeks after the birth or adoption.

Paternity Benefit is available to same-sex couples.

To qualify for Paternity Benefit, you must pay social insurance (PRSI) contributions at Class A, E, H and S (self-employed).

If you are a member of the Defence Forces and you pay PRSI at Class H, you are insured for Paternity Benefit, but it is not payable while you are in service.

Paternity Benefit is €289 a week, for two weeks.

Paternity Benefit is paid directly into your current or deposit account at your bank or building society. It cannot be paid into a mortgage account.

Your employer may continue to pay you in full when you are on paternity leave. They may require you to have your Paternity Benefit paid to them, and you can choose to do this.

Payment increases

If you have dependants, you may be able to get a higher rate of Paternity Benefit. When you apply, your rate of Paternity Benefit (excluding increases for dependants) is compared to the rate of Illness Benefit (including increases for dependants) that would be paid to you if you were absent from work through illness. The higher of the two rates is paid to you.

Taxes

If you pay tax, you will have to pay tax on Paternity Benefit. You will not have to pay the Universal Social Charge (USC) or PRSI.

You must submit

• an online application or a Paternity Benefit application form (PB1) and
• a certificate (a PB2 or a PB3) that confirms when your baby is due or was born.

MyWelfare application

The quickest way to apply for Paternity Benefit is online at MyWelfare. You must have a verified MyGovID to use mywelfare.ie.

A major advantage with applying online is that qualifying online applications result in a fully automated award of benefit in a matter of seconds. You can also track the progress of your claim using MyWelfare.ie.

To apply online, you will need a verified MyWelfare account which requires a Public Services Card.

Postal Application

If you are unable to apply online, you can contact the Paternity Benefit Section by emailing paternityben@welfare.ie or by calling 0818 690 690.

Application forms can also be requested by post at the address listed below.

You must also have a certificate (a PB2 or a PB3) that confirms when your baby is due or was born.

Certification if you are an employee (PB2)

Your employer must certify your paternity leave.

You must:

• ask your spouse’s or partner’s doctor for a certificate that confirms when your baby is due or was born if you are taking leave after the birth
• give this certificate to your employer, along with the application form below
• get your employer to fill in this form and give it to you
• include this form when you apply for Paternity Benefit.
• also submit an online application or complete the application form PB1, details above. (The PB2 can not be accepted on its own)

Certification if you are self-employed (PB3)

Your spouse’s or partner’s doctor must certify your paternity leave.

You must:

• ask the doctor to fill in the form below
• include this form when you apply for Paternity Benefit
• also submit an online application or complete the application form PB1, details above. (The PB3 can not be accepted on its own)

Postal applications can be sent to the Paternity Benefit Section of the department.

If you are an employee, you should apply for Paternity Benefit at least four weeks before you plan to go on paternity leave.

If you are self-employed, you should apply at least 12 weeks before you plan to go on leave.

Note: Failure to apply for Paternity Benefit within 26 weeks of the birth of your baby may result in loss of benefit.

Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.

• Operational Guidelines: Paternity Benefit
• Operational Guidelines: Payment-related issues