Parents and guardians can claim up to €312 monthly per child through Ireland’s updated Child Support Payment scheme as the rate is set to be increased within a matter of days
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Thousands of parents are eligible for a soon-to-be revamped weekly payment, given for each child.
The Child Support Payment, formerly known as the Increase for a Qualified Child, will see a rate increase next month.
This alteration was unveiled as part of Budget 2026, and if you’re eligible, this payment can be added to your existing social welfare claim.
Parents could receive up to €78 per child each week, or €312 monthly.
Here’s all the information you need about it and how to apply.
What is the Child Support Payment?
Your social welfare payment consists of a weekly sum for yourself, known as the personal rate. You might also be entitled to an additional amount for your child, referred to as a Child Support Payment (CSP).
The CSP was previously named an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC.
Who qualifies for Child Support Payment?
To be eligible for a Child Support Payment (CSP), 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 doesn’t have to be financially dependent on you. Your child can work and earn money, without impacting the increase paid to you.
CSP can be claimed on behalf of foster children.
However, you typically don’t receive a CSP if your child is receiving their own social welfare payment, except in certain situations.
You won’t get a Child Support Payment (CSP) with the following payments:
- Working Family Payment
- Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)
- Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension
- Death Benefit by way of Orphan’s Payment
You won’t receive a CSP if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant’s gross income exceeds €400, and you’re receiving one of the following payments:
- Illness Benefit
- Injury Benefit
- Health and Safety Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Benefit or Disablement Benefit (Incapacity Supplement)
- Invalidity Pension
- Carer’s Benefit
- State Pension (Contributory)
How much is the Child Support Payment?
Since January 2025, the Child Support Payment (CSP) is:
Rate of Child Support Payment
€50 (full rate)
€25 (half rate)
€62 (full rate)
€31 (half rate)
However, in January 2026, the Child Support Payment will increase:
- By €8, from €50 to €58, for children under 12 years of age
- By €16, from €62 to €78, for children aged 12 years and over
How to apply
To receive a Child Support Payment, you must provide details about your dependent child on your claim form when you apply for a social welfare payment.
If you didn’t claim for your dependent child at the time you made your claim, you should get in touch with the section in the Department of Social Protection that handles your social welfare payment, or your local Intreo or Branch office.
