Child Benefit is a monthly payment to parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. You can get Child Benefit for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

To qualify for Child Benefit, you must be living in Ireland and satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition

When should I apply for Child Benefit?

You should 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 your family came to live in Ireland or the date you started working in Ireland if your children are living in another EU country.

How do I apply for Child Benefit?

If your baby is born in Ireland, you will need to register the birth of your baby within three months of the birth. After you do this, the Department of Social Protection (DSP) will begin a Child Benefit claim for your child. Your new baby will also be given a Personal Public Service (PPS) number.

If you are not claiming for any other children and you register the birth of your baby within three months, the Child Benefit Section will begin a Child Benefit claim and send you a partly completed form (CB1). The form will also include information on how you can claim for your new baby online. You can claim online only if you are invited to do so by the DSP.

If you are already claiming Child Benefit for another child and you register the birth of your new baby within three months, your new baby will be added to your Child Benefit claim. Payment begins automatically from the month after the birth. The DSP will write to you confirming when payment will start.

What is the situation if my child was not born in Ireland?

If your child was not born in Ireland, or if you did not register their birth within three months, you must fill in a Child Benefit form (CB1) and send it to the Child Benefit Section.

Do I have to reapply when my child reaches 16 years of age?

You will need to fill in Child Benefit form CB2 one month before your child’s 16th birthday. You can get the form from your local Social Welfare office or Citizens Information Centre
The CB2 form must also be signed and officially stamped by the school or college, if your child is in full-time education or the training organisation, if your child is in full-time training or
a doctor, if your child has a disability and is unable to financially support themselves.

If you are already getting Child Benefit for this child, the DSP will send you a partly completed application form. You will need to confirm that your child is still in full-time education or full-time training, or has a disability and cannot support themselves. If this is your first time claiming Child Benefit for this child, you should fill in both application forms CB1 and CB2.

Is Child Benefit paid during the summer school holidays?

If your child is 16 or 17 and in full-time education, you will get Child Benefit until June in each school year. You will not get another payment until they return to full-time education in September.
You will get Child Benefit for July and August only if your child returns to education in September. In August, the Child Benefit section will send you an application form. You must complete and return it when your child returns to full-time education in September. When you get your next payment, it will include any arrears (money owed to you). This will include Child Benefit for July and August. If your child turns 18 in July or August and returns to full-time education in September, you will get any arrears of Child Benefit, up until the month they turn 18.

What is the current rate of Child Benefit?

Child Benefit is €140 a month for each child. It is paid on the first Tuesday of every month. If you start getting Child Benefit for the first time for a baby, it will be paid at the start of the month after the birth of the child. For twins, Child Benefit is paid at one-and-a-half times the normal monthly rate for each child. For triplets and other multiple births, Child Benefit is paid at double the normal monthly rate for each child.

Is Child Benefit taxable?

Child Benefit is not taxable.

Will I get Child Benefit for my 18-year-old son who is still in full-time education?

No. Child Benefit is not paid for any child aged 18 or older, even if they are in full-time education or training.

Can I claim Child Benefit if my child is living in another EU/EEA country?

If you are an EU/EEA citizen working in Ireland, you will satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) and you can claim Child Benefit in Ireland. If your child is living in a different EU/EEA country from you, you should also apply for any family benefit payments you are entitled to in the country where they live.

If you are a non-EU/EEA citizen and are legally working in Ireland, you may qualify for Child Benefit if your child is resident in Ireland or in another EU State. Certain conditions apply.

If you need further information about any of the issues mentioned above or you have other questions, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information Service in Kerry on 0818 07 7860. The telephone lines are staffed from 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday. The National Phone Service is available on 0818 07 4000 Monday to Friday 9am to 8pm.
Alternatively, you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie.