Copyright rsvplive
Parents can expect a hefty increase of up to €832 to come into effect very soon. The Child Support Payment, previously called the Increase for a Qualified Child, was renamed earlier this year as part of Budget 2025. As part of Budget 2026, it will receive a weekly rate hike. The Child Support Payment, which is paid weekly on top of other social welfare payments, will increase by €8 for children under 12 and €16 for children over 12. It’s the largest ever increase in this rate. The increase will come into effect from January 2026. Here's everything you need to know about it. 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 a Child Support Payment (CSP). The CSP was previously called an Increase for a Qualified Child or IQC. Who qualifies for Child Support Payment? To get an 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 does not have to be financially dependent on you. Your child can work and earn money, without affecting the increase paid to you. CSP can be paid on behalf of foster children. However, you generally do not get an CSP if your child is getting their own social welfare payment, except in certain circumstances. You do not get an 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 do not get an CSP if the gross income of your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is over €400, and you get 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? Child Support Payment in 2025 For children under 12, this will raise by €8 from January 2026, while for children over 12 it will raise by €16. How to apply To get an Child Support Payment, 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.
