Guardian's payments

Information

A guardian's payment may be made to a person taking care of an orphan. It is not necessary to be a legally appointed guardian. A guardian's payment may be paid to you if the orphan lives with you and you are responsible for his or her care. The payment must benefit the orphan.

If an orphan is attending a full-time education course, is aged between 18 and 22 years of age and is not living with or in the care of a guardian, the payment can be paid directly to the orphan.

The payment can be contributory (based on PRSI payments paid by the parent) or non-contributory (based on a means-test).

You can claim only one of the following:

• Guardian's Payment (Contributory) previously called Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance
• Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) previously called Orphan's (Non-Contributory) Pension
• Guardian's/Orphan's Pension awarded under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme.

You may also be entitled to a Bereavement Grant.

You cannot get a guardian's payment and a Foster Care Allowance.

Rules

A child is regarded as an orphan if:

• They are under 18 (or 22 if in full time education)
• Both parents are dead, or 
• One parent is either dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child, and
• The other parent is unknown or has abandoned and failed to provide for the child.

Guardian's Payment (Contributory)

If either parent or step-parent had worked at any time and paid PRSI for 26 weeks, the orphan is entitled to the Guardian's Payment (Contributory). This may be paid for an orphan living in the state or abroad and is not means tested. Payment is made to the child's guardian up to the child's 18th birthday or 22nd birthday if they are in full-time education. 

Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)

This is a non-contributory payment for children who are not entitled to the contributory payment. The means test for this is based on the child's means. Payment is made to the child's guardian up to the child's 18th birthday or 22nd birthday if they are in full-time education.

Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) and Habitual Residence

Since 1 May 2004 you must be "habitually resident" in Ireland to quality for Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory). Find out more about habitual residence.

Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) and EU Regulations

From 5 May 2005 EU citizens who are employed or self-employed in Ireland will satisfy the habitual residence criteria to qualify for Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory).

Guardian's/Orphan's Pension awarded under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme

Under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, a slightly higher guardian's/orphan's pension may be payable if the parent, step-parent or person supporting the child/children:

• Died as a result of an accident at work
• Died as a result of an occupational disease
• Was getting Disablement Pension assessed at 50% or more at the time of their death.

This Benefit is not means tested and there are no specific PRSI requirements (as long as at least one week of PRSI has been paid).

Rates

From January 2010, the Guardian's Payment (Contributory) is paid at a standard rate of €169 per week and the maximum Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) is €169 per week. Whether or not you get the maximum Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) will depend on a means test.

The Guardian's/Orphan's Pension payable under the Occupation Injuries Benefit Scheme is €172.80 in 2010.

How to apply

Guardian's Payment (Contributory) and Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)

To apply, fill in guardian's payments Form GP1 (pdf). You can also get an application form at every Post Office.

Where to apply