Thousands of families across Ireland entitled to an extra €550 with new social welfare payment

Thousands of families across the country can now avail of and extra payment of €548 as the Parent's Benefit Payment has been extended from 7 to 9 weeks.

From August 1 2024, Parent’s Benefit is extended from 7 weeks to 9 weeks, if you are the parent of:

• A child born or adopted on or after 1 August 2024
• A child under 2 years of age on 1 August 2024 or an adopted child placed with your family less than 2 years on 1 August 2024 - you must complete the extra parent's leave on or before your child’s second birthday or within 2 years of the adoption placement

What is Parent's Benefit?

Parent’s Benefit and parent’s leave are for parents in the first 2 years after their child’s birth or adoption.

Parent’s Benefit is paid while you are on parent’s leave from work if you have enough social insurance (PRSI) contributions.

Each parent can get parent’s leave and Parent’s Benefit. 

You must be on parent’s leave to get Parent’s Benefit. However, it is possible to qualify for parent’s leave and not get Parent’s Benefit if you don’t meet the PRSI contribution conditions.

You can take your leave in separate weeks or all at once.

Parent’s Benefit is only paid once for both single and multiple births. For example, if you have twins or adopt 2 children at the same time, you get one payment.

If you are already getting a social welfare payment, then you may get half-rate Parent’s Benefit.

What are the rules?

Parent’s Benefit is paid in the first 2 years of the child’s birth or adoption.

You must notify your employer that you intend to take parent’s leave and of your intended dates no later than 6 weeks before your leave. You then apply for Parent’s Benefit at least 4 weeks before the date you start your parent’s leave.

If you are self-employed you should apply for Parent's Benefit 6 weeks before you intend to take parent’s leave.

You need your child’s PPS number to apply for Parent’s Benefit.

How much is Parent's Benefit?

Parent's Benefit is paid at a standard weekly rate of €274.

How is it paid?

Parent's Benefit is paid directly into your bank or building society account (a current or deposit account, not a mortgage account) or you can choose to have it paid directly into your employer's bank account.

If your employer pays you in full while you are on parent’s leave, they may require Parent’s Benefit to be paid directly into their bank account. You should check your contract of employment to see what applies to you

How to apply?

If you are an employee you must be approved for parent’s leave before you can apply for Parent’s Benefit. You must apply to your employer for parent’s leave at least 6 weeks before you intend to start your parent’s leave. You then apply for Parent’s Benefit at least 4 weeks before you take the leave.

If you are self-employed you apply for Parent's Benefit 6 weeks before your planned leave.

You can apply online or by post by requesting a Parent’s Benefit application form by emailing or phoning the Parent's Benefit Section. Just fill in the form and send it to the Parent’s Benefit Section of the Department of Social Protection.

For more information you can visit citizensinformation.ie