One-Parent Family Payment
A means-tested weekly payment for parents under 66 raising a child without the support of a partner. It ends when your youngest child reaches a set age.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- Yes
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is One-Parent Family Payment?
€254/week
Maximum personal rate
Increases you may also get
| Child under 12 | €58/week |
|---|---|
| Child aged 12 or over | €78/week |
Budget 2027: from January 2027
Amounts a week. Announced, not yet in force. Until January 2027 you are paid the current rate.
| Rate | Now | From January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum personal rate | €254 | €264 |
| Child under 12 | €58 | €64 |
| Child aged 12 or over | €78 | €84 |
From July 2027 the earnings disregard rises by €10 to €175 a week.
Read from Department of Social Protection, Budget 2027, checked .
Who can get One-Parent Family Payment
- You must be under 66.
- You must be the parent, step-parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of a child under the qualifying age.
- You must be the main carer of at least one child.
- You must not be cohabiting.
- You must pass the means test.
The One-Parent Family Payment means test
Means-tested on the standard capital scale, with an earnings disregard that lets you work and keep part of the payment.
How your savings are assessed
All means-tested payments except Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €20,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Things people get caught by
- When your youngest child reaches the age limit, you may move to the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment.
- One-Parent Family Payment and Working Family Payment can be held together. Many lone parents in work qualify for both.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with One-Parent Family Payment.
- Working Family Payment
Can be paid alongside One-Parent Family Payment if you work enough hours.
- Fuel Allowance
If you meet the Fuel Allowance means test.
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
If you meet the income limits.