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The Irish Sun
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
Another 19,000 Irish families could qualify for extra €924 social welfare cash under new rule change – are you eligible?
A €924 social welfare payment could be available to thousands of Irish families in a few months as the government considers expanding eligibility rules of the payment in the next budget. The Department of Social Protection hinted that As outlined in the Programme for Government earlier this year, Department officials were asked to review and research the extension of eligibility for the The review includes an analysis of the impact that a "potential extension of eligibility" would have on lone parent households. Fuel Allowance, which is designed to help people with the cost of heating their home in the winter months, is paid out at a rate of €33 weekly or in two lump sums of €462 each in September and January. And Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary last week confirmed he will "carefully consider" the new review into the extension of the payment. READ MORE IN MONEY Thousands more people qualified for the scheme this year after the government reduced the eligibility age by four years in the budget. "The updating of the report is still ongoing and when finished, I will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain as part of the budget planning process. "Any decisions to expand for the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources." MOST READ ON THE IRISH SUN Currently, the weekly €33 Fuel Allowance payment is issued to over 400,000 Irish households. Little known social welfare benefits thousands are entitled to And some 19,641 Working Family Payment claims were awarded to Irish parents last year, it has been confirmed. New rules introduced in Budget 2025 saw the payment extended to those aged 66 and over. The means test disregard was previously for over 70s. Now, people aged under 66 will have to meet certain eligibility requirements for the payment. This includes living alone or living with specific people or getting a qualifying means payment. People on the Carer's Allowance were also deemed eligible for the Fuel Allowance boost, providing they meet the criteria. And the Programme for Government has confirmed eligibility may be extended those in receipt of the Working Family Payment in Budget 2026. WORKING FAMILY PAYMENT RULES PARENTS can get a weekly tax-free WFP payment if they are an employee and: Work 38 or more hours per fortnight. You can combine your weekly hours with your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's hours to meet this condition. You cannot use time spent in self-employment or on Community Employment. Your job is likely to last at least three months You have at least one child, aged under 18, who normally lives with you You earn less than the WFP income limit set for your family size Those eligible must pay tax and Under EU regulations, you may be able to claim WFP if your children live abroad and depend on you. WFP is paid for one year, 52 weeks, as long as you meet the conditions. Minister Calleary said those who qualify for WFP must be working a minimum of "eight hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them". People cannot avail of the scheme if they are With the WFP payment, you get 60 per cent of the difference between your average weekly family income and the WFP income limit for your family size. Over 24,000 people have applied for the social welfare payment so far this year, with 19,641 claims being rewarded. The average time for new claims to be rewarded this year is 10 weeks, according to Calleary. 1 The boost is under consideration Credit: Getty Images - Getty
The Irish Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
€140 Child Benefit payment shake-up latest after age rule change as parents due new €160 or €285 cash per child in weeks
THOUSANDS of Irish parents could be due to keep their €140 Child Benefit cash boost after a change to age rules. Parents across the country rely on the key payment - and three additional cash payments also offer relief to families. 2 The payment is issued once a month Credit: Getty Images - Getty 2 Three other schemes are available for families Credit: Getty Images - Getty Typically, Child Benefit is issued to families with children up to the age of 16 but a change of rules means it can now be paid up until until their 19th birthday if the child is in full time education or has a disability. Minister for "The payment continues to be paid in respect of children until their nineteenth birthday where they are in full-time education or have a disability." The scheme is paid out to almost 1.3 million children in Ireland and is expected to cost the state over €2.2 billion in 2025. READ MORE IN MONEY An August double payment of Child Benefit, worth €240, promised by Fine Gael leader last year is this summer. Instead, the Department of Social Protection said the Government is focusing on a "targeted" However, despite double child benefit being off the table, there are three additional Minister for MOST READ IN THE IRISH SUN The Child Support Payment is made up of a weekly amount for yourself, with extra given for a It is given on a circumstantial basis with no set amount allocated. QUALIFYING REQUIREMENTS To avail of this, your child must be living with you, meet the age requirement of under 18 years of age, be a resident in the state and not be in legal custody. The To avail of this, you must be an employee, have at least one child who either lives primarily with you or who you financially support, and is under 18. If the child is in full time day This is paid based on your average weekly family income, with 60 per cent of the difference between this and the WFP income limit being issued. The payment is also not taken into account in the means test for a medical card. The 'KEY PRIORITY' Speaking on the payments, Calleary said: "These schemes provide targeted assistance that is directly linked to household income and thereby support low-income families with children. "Addressing child poverty is a key priority for the Government. That is why the Programme for Government 2025, includes a range of measures to support children and their families. "One such commitment is to explore a targeted Child Benefit Payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment. "My Department is progressing this work, having regard to the available body of evidence, including the work undertaken previously by the ESRI, The National Economic and Social Council and the Commission on Taxation and Welfare." WHAT IS THE BACK TO SCHOOL ALLOWANCE? The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, which is available to thousands of Irish parents, will open for applications in June 2025. The payment is aimed at easing the Children aged four to 11 receive a rate of payment of €160. Those aged 12 to 22 receive a payment of €285. However, there is criteria you must meet in order to avail of the cash. You must be getting a qualifying social welfare payment or participating in an approved employment, education or training support scheme. You and each child you claim for must be a resident in Ireland. Your household income must be within the BSCFA income limits and you must be receiving the Increase for a Qualified Child payment along with social welfare payment. WEEKLY INCOME LIMITS FOR THE PAYMENT These are the weekly income limits parents must meet to qualify. 1 child €694 2 children €756 3 children €818 4 children €880 An increase of €62 is applied for each independent child in families with more than four kids. The payment is usually paid out in early July, falling on the week of July 8 in 2024. If you do not automatically get the payment and think you qualify you can apply on MyWelfare through your verified account. If you do not have an account you can call the BSCFA contact centre on 071 919 3318 or 0818 11 11 13, and they will help you to set one up. Applications for the payment usually close in late September. WHAT ARE CHILD BENEFIT RULES? Child Benefit is a tax free payment to parents or guardians of children under 16. But it can also be claimed for children aged 16, 17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves. You must also be living in Ireland and meet the Habitual Residence Condition to claim the payment. CHILD BENEFIT PAYMENT DATES THIS is a full list of all the Child Benefit payment dates for the rest of the year. The €140 payment, which is available regardless of a person's income or PRSI record, is paid out on the first Tuesday of every month. However, the payment can June 3 - may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday July 1 August 5 - may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday September 2 October 7 November 4 December 2 The Department of Social Protection If your child lives between two separate households, the parent who lives with the child most of the time will receive the payment. Someone who cares for a child not living with or being maintained by their parents may also be able to claim Child Benefit.
The Irish Sun
06-05-2025
- Business
- The Irish Sun
€140 Child Benefit ‘payment will be suspended' alert for Irish parents in 28-day warning amid social welfare cash review
SOME 650,000 Irish parents have been warned that their monthly €140 Child Benefit "payment will be suspended" if they fail to fill out a review form. The form is part of on-going control measures carried out periodically to confirm that 1 The €140 payment could be suspended for some parents Credit: Getty Images The Department of Social Protection can also initiate a review when it is notified of any changes in the circumstances of the customer or child which may affect entitlement. The form, which is sent out via post, must be completed and returned within 28 days of being received. And the Department of Social Protection has warned that the cash, which is The form requires parents or guardians receiving the universal READ MORE IN MONEY Claimants are also required to confirm that both they and the child they are claiming for are resident in the State and detail any change in circumstances that could affect their Child Benefit claim. The form also asks the applicant to declare that all the information provided is truthful and complete, warning those who give untrue or misleading information, or fail to disclose relevant details, that they may be required to repay the cash or be prosecuted. The warning comes after it was confirmed that an August double payment of Child Benefit, worth €240, promised by Fine Gael leader Instead, the Department of Social Protection said the Government is focusing on a "targeted" Child Benefit payment designed to help those who need it most. Most read in The Irish Sun In a post on Instagram, Harris said: "A double child benefit payment every August to help parents with costs, particularly around the costs of schools and the additional costs parents often face over the summer. Major warning over emergency social welfare scam texts as thousands could be targeted "Please share to spread the word. I need your support for However, when asked if the double August Child Benefit is being considered, the Department of Social Protection confirmed that the boost is not outlined in the Programme for Government. A spokesperson told The Irish Sun: "The Programme for Government commitments relating to Child Benefit are to: Continue to support families with the cost of raising their family through the Child Benefit payment, and Explore a targeted Child Benefit payment and examine the interaction this would have with existing targeted supports to reduce Child Poverty such as the Working Family Payment and Child Support Payment. "The Department is working to advance these commitments and, in any event, schemes, including Child Benefit, are kept under review in the context of the annual budget process." WHAT ARE CHILD BENEFIT RULES? Child Benefit is a tax free payment to parents or guardians of children under 16. But it can also be claimed for children aged 16, 17 and 18 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves. CHILD BENEFIT PAYMENT DATES THIS is a full list of all the Child Benefit payment dates for the rest of the year. The €140 payment, which is available regardless of a person's income or PRSI record, is paid out on the first Tuesday of every month. However, the payment can 3rd June - may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday 1st July 5th August - may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday 2nd September 7th October 4th November 2nd December You must also be living in Ireland and meet the Habitual Residence Condition to claim the payment. The Department of Social Protection If your child lives between two separate households, the parent who lives with the child most of the time will receive the payment. Someone who cares for a child not living with or being maintained by their parents may also be able to claim Child Benefit.
