Child Benefit will be extended to 18-year-olds based on certain conditions from May 1st, according to Fine Gael Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.
The change – which was originally supposed to come into effect in September – will apply to 18-year-olds in full-time education or with a disability, up until their 19th birthday.
The measure is expected to cover around 60,000 youths annually.
The Minister said that for any family that is currently out of payment – but their child is 18 and in full education or has a disability – their payment will be reinstated. In the coming weeks, the Department will begin communicating directly with families that will benefit from this measure.
“I’m delighted to announce that legislation has been passed in the Dáil to extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds from May 1st,” Humphreys said today in a statement.
“This measure was initially due to come into effect in September. However, I recently secured Cabinet approval to implement the change from May.
“Child Benefit is a vital support for so many working families and this extension 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.
“Parents of children who turned 18 after May 2023 will be paid again from May 2024 up to their 19th birthday, once their child is in full-time education.
“So if you are out of payment and your child is 18 and still in full-time education, your payment will be reinstated by the Department.
“We expect that some 60,000 children will benefit annually as a result of the changes that have now been passed in the Dáil.”
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 simply be reactivated from May 2024 as long as the certificate is valid, and payment will continue for as long as a valid education certificate is in place or the child turns 19, whichever comes first.
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.
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.
The Department will contact a parent or guardian directly 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,” the Department added.