Ireland One-Parent Family Payment – Eligibility, Benefits, How to apply?

The Irish government offers financial assistance to single parents through the OFP. The One-Parent Family Payment is a weekly tax-free payment for single parents under 66 years old who are raising children without a partner’s support.

Ireland One-Parent Family Payment

The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) in Ireland is a social welfare payment for parents under the age of 66 who are the sole or main carer of at least one child under a certain age. 

To qualify, the parent must meet several criteria, including passing a means test, being habitually resident in Ireland, and not living with a spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner.

The maximum weekly rate of the OFP in 2024 is €232, plus an additional payment of €46 for a child under 12 or €54 for a child aged 12 and over. An Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) may also be paid for other children in the family until they reach 18 (or 22 if in full-time education).

Who qualifies for the Ireland One-Parent Family Payment?

The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) in Ireland offers financial support to single parents. To be eligible for this benefit, several criteria need to be met:

  • You must have a qualifying child, which means your youngest child must generally be under 7 years old.
  • You must be habitually resident in Ireland to qualify for OFP. 
  • There are exceptions for parents receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance or Blind Pension for their child. In these cases, OFP may continue until the child reaches 16.
  • You must be the main carer for at least one child under the qualifying age limit. This child must also live with you.
  • Joint equal custody arrangements disqualify you from receiving OFP, as the concept implies shared financial responsibility.

Ireland One-Parent Family Payment Amounts 2024

The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) in Ireland offers financial support to single parents with a tiered payment structure. The components that determine the total amount you receive are:

Personal Rate:

  • This is the base payment amount you receive as a single parent, regardless of the number of qualifying children.
  • The current maximum personal weekly rate is €232.

Child Dependant Rates:

  • In addition to the personal rate, you receive an additional payment for each qualified child living with you.
  • The amount varies depending on the child’s age:
    • €46 per week for a child under 12 years old.
    • €54 per week for a child aged 12 years old and over.

Income Disregard:

  • The OFP is means-tested, meaning your income is considered when calculating the final payment amount.
  • However, the first €165 of your gross weekly earnings is disregarded. This means you can earn this amount without impacting the full rate of your OFP.

Income Assessment:

  • Any income you earn above €165 per week will be partially assessed to determine the final payment amount.
  • Half of the remaining amount is considered for means assessment.
  • Based on this assessment, your total OFP payment may be reduced. The Department of Social Protection provides a rates booklet to help estimate your potential payment based on your means.
  • The OFP is a tax-free payment.

How to apply for Ireland One-Parent Family Payment?

The Department of Social Protection allows you to apply for the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) online. The steps involved are:

  • Head over to the MyWelfare.ie website: https://services.mywelfare.ie/
  • MyGovID is a secure login system for accessing government services online. If you haven’t already, create a MyGovID account using the “Register” option.
  • Once you have a MyGovID account, log in to MyWelfare.ie using your credentials.
  • On the MyWelfare.ie dashboard, look for the option to “Apply for a new payment.” Select “One-Parent Family Payment” from the list of available benefits.
  • The online application will guide you through a series of steps. Be prepared to provide details about yourself, your children, your income, and your living situation. You may also be asked to upload scanned copies of your supporting documents.
  • Carefully review the information you’ve entered to ensure accuracy. Once everything is correct, submit your application electronically.

What should I do if Ireland One- Parent Payment is delayed?

A delayed One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) can cause significant financial strain. Here’s what you can do if your payment doesn’t arrive as expected:

Check for Delays or Scheduled Maintenance:

  • The Department of Social Protection website occasionally undergoes maintenance, which might temporarily impact online services like payment updates.

Verify Payment Date and Status:

  • Log in to your MyWelfare.ie account and check the payment history section. This should show the expected payment date and any updates regarding its status.

Contact the Department of Social Protection:

  • If there are no delays or maintenance notices, and your account shows no payment issued, reach out to the Department of Social Protection as soon as possible.
  • You can contact them through various channels:
    • Phone: The national Intreo Centre phoneline is 0818 600 400 https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation/department-of-social-protection/.
    • MyWelfare.ie: You can send a secure message through your MyWelfare.ie account.
    • Local Intreo Centre: Visit your local Intreo Centre in person to inquire about the payment status.
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