Social welfare Ireland: How parents can claim child support payment of over €3,200 plus €100 bonus

There have been some changes to the payment as announced in last week's budget - don't miss out on the weekly boost and bonus payment if you are eligible to claim

Thousands of parents are eligible for a weekly child support payment to support dependent children.

Formerly called the Increase for a Qualified Child, the Child Support Payment is paid weekly to certain social welfare recipients.

The weekly rate is set to be increased from January and recipients of the payment are in line for a lump sum of €100 next month.

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The Increase for a Qualified Child has been in place for years, but some changes were announced in Budget 2025:

• A once-off payment of €100 for each qualifying child will be paid people who get an increase for a qualified child (November 2024)
• The Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) will be renamed the Child Support Payment
• The weekly rate will increase by €4 from €46 to €50, for children under 12 years of age, and by €8 from €54 to €62 for children aged 12 years and over (January 2025).

In light of these changes, we have put together everything you need to know about the Child Support Payment and how to claim.

What is the Child Support Payment?

Your social welfare payment is made up of a weekly amount for yourself, called the personal rate . You may also get an extra amount for your child called the Child Support Payment.

You do not get it with certain payments, and in some circumstances you may only get a half-rate.

How to qualify for the Child Support Payment

To get the Child Support Payment, your child must:

• Live with you
• Meet the age requirement for that payment
• Be resident in the State
• Not be in legal custody (detained in a detention school)

Your child does not have to be financially dependent on you. Your child can work and earn money, without affecting the increase paid to you. The payment can be paid on behalf of foster children.

However, you generally do not get the payment if your child is getting their own social welfare payment.

How to apply

To get an Increase for a Qualified Child, you must give details about your child dependant on your claim form when you apply for a social welfare payment.

If you did not claim for your child dependant at the time you made your claim, you should contact the section in the Department of Social Protection which pays your social welfare payment, or your local Intreo or Branch office.

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