Press release
Minister Humphreys announces extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds from 1 May
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has today announced the extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds from 1 May.
The measure will benefit around 60,000 children who are in full time education or who have a disability.
Minister Humphreys secured agreement to extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds as part of Budget 2024 with the measure due to be implemented from September.
However, the Minister today secured Cabinet approval to introduce the changes four months earlier from 1 May.
This means that Child Benefit will be paid to anyone who is 18 and in full-time education, or who has a disability, up until their 19th birthday.
Child Benefit is paid at a rate of €140 per month.
Speaking after Cabinet, Minister Humphreys said:
“I’m delighted today to have secured agreement from my Cabinet colleagues to extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds from 1 May.
“This will benefit thousands of families right across the country, who up until now saw their Child Benefit cease as soon as their child turned 18.
“This measure was initially due to come into effect in September. However, I informed Cabinet today that my department is in a position to implement the change from May.
“We expect that in the region of 60,000 children will benefit as a result of the changes that I am announcing today.”
Minister Humphreys continued:
“Child Benefit is a vital support for so many working families. And I know, from my days working in a Credit Union, just how much families depend on Child Benefit.
“This particular change that I am announcing today reflects the fact that many children nowadays don’t finish secondary school until after they turn 18.
“This could be because a child started school at the age of five, or perhaps because they opted to take part in Transition Year.
“That’s why this measure is so important in terms of supporting tens of thousands of additional families with the cost of living and putting more money back in their pockets.”
The Department of Social Protection will be in contact with all recipients of Child Benefit over the coming months to advise of the next steps.
In the case of a child who turned 18 after May 2023 and they are still in full-time education, they will be eligible again from May 2024 up to their 19th birthday.
As the measure comes into effect in May, there will be no payment for any intervening period up to May 2024.
The parent/guardian does not need to reapply if the child is in full-time education and the department holds a current education certificate. The payment will be reactivated from May 2024 as long as the certificate is valid and payment will continue until for as long as a valid education certificate is in place or the child turns 19, whichever comes first.
In cases where the education certificate expires prior to the 19th birthday, a new education certificate will be issued to the parent/guardian before it expires. This must be completed and returned to allow payment of Child Benefit to resume.
If the child turns 18 after May 2024, Child Benefit will automatically be extended to either the 19th birthday or the expiry date of the current certificate.
The department will be directly in contact with a parent/guardian if they need to provide an updated education certificate.
For those individuals who need to update their payment details, the quickest and easiest way to change payment details is online at MyWelfare.ie.