Child benefit extension to 18-year-olds comes into effect

Changes extending child benefit to 18-year-olds for those in full-time education or who have a disability have come into effect.

The measures was announced as part of Budget 2024 last year, and was initially due to come into effect from September this year.

However, in February Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys announced that it would be introduced from 1 May.

“This 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,” Minister Humphreys said in a statement.

“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.

The measure is expected to benefit the families of almost 60,000 18-year-olds, according to the minister.

Child benefit is paid on the first Tuesday of every month at a rate of €140 per child per month.

Children who turned 18 after May 2023 and remain in full-time education will be eligible for child benefit again until their 19th birthday as long as the Department holds a current education certificate.

From now on, child benefit will be automatically extended to either the child’s 19th birthday or the expiry date of the current certificate.

The Department of Social Protection has said that parents or guardians will be contacted directly if they need to provide an updated education certificate.