Child benefit payment extended to 18-year-olds from May 1: everything you need to know as move brought forward by four months

The extension of child benefit payments for all children under the age of 19 has been passed by the Dáil, with the planned extension being brought four months from September to May 1.

Currently parents only get child benefit for each child up until their 18th birthday, but under plans announced in the Budget this was to be extended to every dependent child up to the age of 19 in September.

However, this has now been brought forward after Cabinet approval, Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys has announced.

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 will now be made from the beginning of May, meaning a total benefit to families of €1,120 for this year. Child benefit is paid to the mother in most cases.

The move to extend the payment is set to benefit the families of about 60,000 young people who are currently aged 18.

The announcement will give such households an extra four months – or a cash boost of €560 – that they had not bargained for.

The improvement reflects a new drive on child poverty instigated by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and seen elsewhere in the social welfare budget.

Social Justice Ireland estimates one in seven children in Ireland is affected by poverty.

The eligible parents of children who turned 18 after May 2023 will be paid again from May 2024 up to their 19th birthday, according to the Department of Social Protection.

If the payment has already stopped for a child who has turned 18 but is still under 19 and in full-time education or has a disability, the payment will be reinstated, and department officials will get in touch with these parents, the minister said.

“I’m delighted to announce that legislation has been passed in the Dáil to extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds from May 1st,” the minister said.

“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.”

Individuals who need to update their payment details can do so online on MyWelfare.ie

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