Child Benefit
Information
Child Benefit (previously known as Children's Allowance) is payable to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age, or under 18 years of age if the child is in full-time education, FÁS Youthreach training or has a disability. Child Benefit is not paid on behalf of 18-year olds.
Child Benefit is paid at one and a half times the appropriate monthly rate for twins, and at double the appropriate monthly rate for triplets and other multiple births.
Changes in 2012
It was announced in Budget 2012 that the rates of payment of Child Benefit will be standardised for all children over the next two years. This means that the Child Benefit rate will be the same for all children in a family.
In 2012 Child Benefit is €140 per month for each of the first two children. From 1 Jaunary 2012 the rate for the third child is €148 and for the 4th and each subsequent child is €160.
Additional monthly payment for twins and triplets will continue but the grant of €635 paid at birth, at 4 years of age and at 12 years of age for these multiple births has ceased from 1 January 2012.
Rules
You need to apply for Child Benefit within 12 months of:
- The birth of your baby or
- The month the child became a member of your family or
- The month the family came to live in Ireland.
Birth of your baby
If your baby is born in Ireland, when you register the birth of your baby the Department of Social Protection will begin a Child Benefit claim for your child:
- If you are not claiming Child Benefit for another child a new claim is created by the Department and a partially completed claim form is sent to you for your signature and payment details. This form also includes information on how to claim for your new baby online. (Please note that you can only claim online if you are invited to do so by the Department.) The baby is also given a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.
- If you are claiming Child Benefit for another child, your new baby is added to your Child Benefit claim and payment begins automatically from the month after the birth. A letter confirming payment will be sent to you by the Department. The baby is also given a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number.
Children aged 16 and 17
If you want to keep your Child Benefit for a disabled child or a child in full-time education or a child on a full-time Youthreach course aged under 18, you will need to fill in the right form (see 'How to apply' below) one month before your child's 16th birthday. This form must also be signed and offically stamped by:
- The school/college if your child is in full-time education
- FÁS if your child is on a full-time Youthreach course
- A doctor if your child has a disability
If your child is aged 16 or 17 and you are getting Child Benefit for him or her, you must notify the Department of Social Protection immediately if:
- Your child leaves school/college/FÁS YOUTHREACH course before the certified date or
- Your child is able to support himself/herself before reaching age 18 or the date certified by the doctor.
Full-time education (aged 16 and 17)
If your child is 16 or 17 years of age and in full-time education you will get Child Benefit until June. You will not get another payment until your child returns to full-time education in September. The Child Benefit section will send you an application form in August. If your child returns to full-time education in September, fill in and return this application form. When you get your payment it will include any arrears due to you, including Child Benefit for July and August.
If you don't get a form in the post from the Child Benefit section, fill in form CB2 in September - see 'How to apply' below.
Child Benefit and EU Regulations
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss nationals working in Ireland satisfy the habitual residence condition for Child Benefit. This is also the case if the worker becomes unemployed and gets a jobseeker's payment.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen or a Swiss national and work in a country covered by EU Regulations, the country you work in usually pays Child Benefit even if your family is living in another country. However, if your children are living in another EU/EEA country you should still apply for any Family Benefits you are entitled to there.
You can find out more about Family Benefits and EU Regulations in Part 9 of the EU Guidelines on the Department of Social Protection's website and in the booklet 'Your social security rights in Ireland – a guide for EU citizens'. You can also contact the Child Benefit Section for more information on how EU rules affect Child Benefit - see 'Where to apply' below.
Countries covered by EU Regulations are: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom (excluding the Channel Islands).
Non-EU/EEA citizens
Non-EU/EEA citizens must be habitually resident in Ireland to quality for Child Benefit. If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and legally working in this State, you may qualify for Child Benefit if your child is also resident here. More information is available in our document on habitual residence.
Anti-fraud checks
EU/EEA citizens and Swiss national covered by EU Regulations are required to certify every 4 months that they continue to work in this State.
Non-EU/EEA citizens are also required to certify every 4 months that they and their children continue to live in this State.
Fraudulent claims for Child Benefit
Penalties for false or misleading statements made to obtain Child Benefit for you or for any other person, may result in large fines or prison for up to three years.
Rates
Child Benefit is €140 per month for each of the first two children. The rate for the 3rd child is €148. The rate for the 4th and each subsequent child is €160.
Child Benefit in 2012:
| Family size | Monthly rate |
| One child | €140 |
| Two children | €280 |
| Three children | €428 |
| Four children | €588 |
| Five children | €748 |
| Six children | €908 |
| Seven children |
€1,068.00
|
| Eight children | €1,228.00 |
Multiple births
The rate of child benefit paid for twins is 1.5 times the appropriate monthly rate for each child.
The rate for the 1st and 2nd child is €140.00 per month, €148.00 for the 3rd child and €160.00 for the 4th and subsequent children.
Example: If you have 2 children already, and then have twins, the twins will be the 3rd and 4th children in the family. Therefore the monthly payment for the twins will be €222 (€148 x 1.5) plus €240 (€160 x 1.5).
Where the multiple birth involves three or more children, the rate of benefit paid is double the appropriate monthly rate, provided at least three of the children remain qualified.
Grants for multiple births are no longer paid from 2012.
How to apply
Child under 16 years of age
If your baby is born in Ireland and you are not claiming for any other children, the Child Benefit section will send you an application form. This form also includes information on how to claim for your new baby online. (Please note that you can only claim online if you are invited to do so by the Department.)
If you are claiming Child Benefit for another child, your new baby is added to your Child Benefit claim and payment begins automatically from the month after the birth. A letter confirming payment will be sent to you by the Department.
If your child is not born in Ireland or their birth is not registered within the required time you must fill in Child Benefit (form CB1)(pdf). You must send this form (CB1) with a copy of your baby's birth certificate by FREEPOST to the Child Benefit Section - see 'Where to apply' below. You can get a birth certificate for your child from the General Register Office (GRO). A special copy will be given to you for Child Benefit, which the Department will not return.
Children aged 16 and 17
To get Child Benefit for a child aged 16 or 17 fill in Child Benefit (form CB2) (pdf). If you are already getting Child Benefit for this child, the Child Benefit section will send you an application form in the post. Send your form by FREEPOST to the Child Benefit Section - see 'Where to apply' below. If you have any difficulty filling in this form, staff in your Social Welfare Local Office will help you.
Where to apply
Child Benefit Section
Department of Social Protection
Social Welfare Services Office
St Oliver Plunkett Road
Letterkenny
Donegal
Ireland
Opening Hours:You can only contact this office by email or telephone.
Tel:(074) 916 4400
Locall:1890 400 400
Homepage: http://www.welfare.ie
You can email the Child Benefit section using the secure Child Benefit enquiry form.
Related Documents
- One-Parent Family Payment
One-Parent Family Payment is a payment for men and women who are bringing children up without the support of a partner. - Budget 2012
Budget 2012 was announced on 5 and 6 December 2011. Summary of the main changes. - Benefits and entitlements relating to birth
There is a range of social welfare benefits and employment entitlements to support women who are having a baby. Read about them here.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.