Child benefit on way for 18-year-olds

Child benefit is to be paid in respect of those who are 18 years of age, from next week.

The announcement was made by Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys and welcomed by Senator John Cummins.

Minster Humphrey secured an agreement to extend Child Benefit to 18-year-olds as part of Budget 2024, with the measure initially due to be implemented from September.

However, in February the Minister announced that her Department was in a position to introduce the changes in May – four months earlier than initially planned.

In welcoming the announcement Senator Cummins said: “This announcement will benefit thousands of families right across the country, who up until now saw their Child Benefit end as soon as their child turned 18.”

“Child Benefit is one of the mechanisms that puts more money back into the pockets of working families,” he said.

“In Waterford it is estimated that over 1,600 children will qualify immediately if they are still in education and currently certified,” he added.

He went on to comment: “This Government is committed to supporting families and today’s announcement further displays this.” 

“I believe the extension of Child Benefit to 18-year-olds in full-time education is a long-term change for the better and will support families across Waterford and Ireland into the future,” said Senator Cummins.

In making the announcement Minister Humphreys said it was a Budget priority for her.

“In February, I announced that we were in a position to implement the change four months earlier from May,” she said.

“With many children now starting primary school at age five, together with the increase in pupils doing transition year, there has been an increase in the number of 18-year-olds still in secondary education,” she added.

Child Benefit is currently paid to over 650,000 families in respect of over 1.2 million children with an estimated expenditure of more than €2.1 billion in 2024.

Child Benefit is paid on the first Tuesday each month at a monthly rate of €140 per child. Those who turned 18 after May 2023, and who are still in full-time education, will be eligible again from May 2024 up to their 19th birthday.

Parents of guardians don’t need to apply if the child is in full-time education and the Department holds a current education certificate.

For people who need to update their payment details, the quickest and easiest way to change payment details is online at MyWelfare.ie.