Major €244 & €223 weekly social welfare cut in blow for hundreds over age rules as new €8,400 payment comes into play

The Irish Sun

02-05-2025

JUST under 400 Irish parents are set to see some weekly social welfare payments end this year due to a rule surrounding their child's age.
But Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary has said that plans are in place for hundreds of families to now be eligible for a €8,400 annual payment.
The
The cash blow means any person who is claiming the maximum rate of both payment will be at a loss of €467 each week.
The One-Parent Family Payment is paid at a maximum weekly rate of €244, while the
And those whose youngest child turns 16 this year could stop receiving the payments after their kid's birthday.
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The One-Parent Family Payment is paid to men and women who are bringing children up without the support of a partner, with the
The
And the half-rate Carer's Allowance is for those with certain other
Calleary has confirmed that those receiving both payments and will see them cease this year, but many will still be eligible for "the disability allowance in their own right."
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He said: "I take it that it concerns people in receipt of the one-parent family allowance, domiciliary care allowance and the half-rate carer's allowance in respect of a child who is turning 16 this year.
"Of the approximately 10,200 people currently in receipt of both the one-parent family payment and half-rate carer's allowance, approximately 390 will cease being in this position during 2025 due to the age of their youngest child.
"However, it is important to note that at age 16, the person for whom the half-rate carer's allowance or domiciliary care allowance was being paid becomes eligible to apply for the disability allowance in their own right."
This is when a person is in receipt of the
, which will remain in place when the youngest child reaches 16, similar to the Half-rate Carer's Allowance, the Carer's Allowance and the Blind Pension.
He continued: "This payment rate is €244 per week compared with €360 per month for domiciliary care allowance, meaning that payments into the household will increase by over €8,400 a year.
"The person formerly in receipt of the one-parent family payment can move to the jobseeker's allowance payment, which is paid at the same rate as the one-parent family payment, or, alternatively, where such a person is providing full-time care, they can apply for full-rate carer's allowance.
"In the latter case, the person can work 18.5 hours a week and retain the payment."
However, once the payment has ended, those previously receiving them are encouraged to apply for other
to replace it.
WHO QUALIFIES FOR OFP & CARERS ALLOWANCE?
THESE schemes aim to provide financial support to different groups, and thousands are eligible to apply.
The One-Parent Family Payment
The One-Parent Family Paymentis a payment for people aged under 66 who are bringing children up without the support of a partner.
And the €244 weekly rate is increased by €50 for those with a child aged under 12 and by €62 for children who are 12 and over.
The
To get the payment, the person applying must also have children under a certain age - but there are exceptions.
The Department of Social Protection examines "all sources" of a persons income in a means test when they apply for the payment.
The main items included in the means test are cash income, capital, income from work and income from maintenance payments, not including child maintenance.
The Half-rate Carer's Allowance
The Half-rate Carer's Allowance is available for people already receiving a social welfare payment but also providing full-time care and attention to another person.
This is to allow you to keep your social welfare payment while also getting benefits from the Carer's Allowance.
Their website states: "If you are getting Carer's Allowance and you also meet the qualifying conditions for another social welfare payment (for example, a State pension) you should apply for the other payment.
"If you qualify for the other payment you will be paid it in full and keep half your Carer's Allowance payment as well."
Qualifying for both payments
If your youngest child is aged between seven and 15, you must qualify for the Carer's Allowance to continue receiving the OFP.
You will also receive a Child Support Payment for other children until they reach 18, or 22 in full-time education.
As for the person previously receiving the One-Parent Family Payment in this circumstance, they will be entitled to the
payment or full-rate Carers Allowance depending on circumstances.
Calleary said: "It is not necessarily the case that the family of a child who has an ongoing disability which requires their parent to provide full-time care will inevitably experience a reduction in payment. However, if there are cases where that is happening, I will certainly work with the Deputy to address that.
"I should also highlight a number of changes that have been made to assist lone-parent families in recent budgets. Within the context of the programme for Government, we are looking at a range of reviews of supports for lone-parent families. We are currently preparing a work plan to implement that commitment."
1
The payment will end for hundreds this year
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