Child Benefit to be extended up to the age of 19 from today

Child benefit is being extended for all dependent offspring up to the age of 19 from today.

The measure will apply to all eligible 18-year-olds who are in full time education, or who have a disability.

The monthly payment of €140 per child begins from today, May 1.

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, has been able to bring in the measure earlier than planned.

And it could result in a small boost to the Government parties in time for the Local and European elections next month.

The move to extend the payment is set to benefit the families of approximately 60,000 young men and women who are currently aged 18.

A move flagged in the Budget last year, it had been initially planned to extend child benefit up until the 19th birthday from only September next.

The first payments will be made next week – four months earlier than initially planned.

Minister Humphreys said: “I’m delighted to announce that Child Benefit is being extended to 18-year-olds from today.

“This was a Budget priority for me, initially due to come into effect in September. However, in February I announced that we were in a position to implement the change from May,” she said.

“This will benefit thousands of families right across the country, who up until now saw their Child Benefit end as soon as their child turned 18.

“With many children now starting primary school at age five, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18-year-olds still in secondary education.

“Child Benefit is one of the only mechanisms available to me to support and put more money back into the pockets of working families.

“I believe this extension is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Ireland into the future.”

Child Benefit is currently paid to over 650,000 families in respect of over 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2.1 billion in 2024.

Child Benefit is paid on the first Tuesday each month at a monthly rate of €140 per child.

In the case of a young person who turned 18 after May 2023 and who is still in full-time education, they will be eligible again for a Child Benefit payment to their parent from this month up to their 19th birthday.

The parent/guardian does not need to reapply if the child is in full-time education and the Department holds a current education certificate.

Get ahead of the day with the morning headlines at 7.30am and Fionnán Sheahan’s exclusive take on the day’s news every afternoon, with our free daily newsletter.