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 |
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.