The first of 12 child benefit payments this year was issued by the Department of Social Protection this week.
The monthly payment of €140 to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age is issued on the first Tuesday of every month.
However, there will be four months this year where there will be slight deviations from the normal payment dates.
When the Monday prior to the payment day is a bank holiday then the child benefit is sometimes paid early into some bank accounts.
While it is often paid on the Saturday or Friday before, this is not always guaranteed.
This meant that for January 2022, some people received their child benefit on Friday, December 31.
The child benefit payment dates will also be similarly impacted by the bank holidays in May, August and November.
May 2, June 6, August 1 and October 31 are all public holidays that precede the first Tuesday of the month.
This means some parents and guardians will receive the benefit earlier than expected on the previous Friday.
Here are the child benefit payment dates for 2022:
- February 1
- March 1
- April 5
- May 3 (bank holiday on May 2)
- June 7 (bank holiday on June 6)
- July 5
- August 2 (bank holiday on August 1)
- September 6
- October 4
- November 1 (bank holiday on October 31)
- December 6
According to the Department of Social Protection, new parents usually get their first payment the month after their child is born.
As well as for kids under 16, is also available 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.
The benefit, which is not subject to taxation, is a universal payment meaning that your income level and your social insurance (PRSI) record do not affect whether you get it.
To qualify for child benefit, you must meet the Habitual Residence Condition and this applies to all applicants regardless of nationality.
Child Benefit is normally paid to the child’s mother or step-mother but if the child does not live with their mother or step-mother but lives with their father or step-father, the welfare payment can be issued to them.
If the child is not living with or being maintained by their parents, the person caring for the child may get child benefit.
