Child Benefit Makes Almost 2,000 More Children In Wicklow Eligible.

From next week, Child Benefit will be extended to 18-year-olds in full-time education or with a disability.

Child Benefit will now be paid to an additional 1,946 children in Wicklow under a new extension of eligibility.

From next week, Child Benefit will be extended to 18-year-olds in full-time education or with a disability. 

Nationwide this adds over 60,000 children to the list.

In the case of a child who turned 18 after May 2023 and they are still in full-time education, they will be eligible again from May 2024 up to their 19th birthday.

The parent/guardian does not need to reapply if the child is in full-time education and the Department holds a current education certificate.  The payment will be reactivated from May 2024 as long as the certificate is valid, and payment will continue for as long as a valid education certificate is in place or the child turns 19, whichever comes first.

If the child turns 18 after May 2024, Child Benefit will automatically be extended to either the 19th birthday or the expiry date of the current certificate.

In cases where the education certificate expires prior to the 19th birthday, a new education certificate will be issued to the parent/guardian before it expires. This must be completed and returned to allow payment of Child Benefit to resume.

The Department will contact a parent/guardian directly if they need to provide an updated education certificate.

Announcing the extension this morning, Taoiseach Simon Harris says that this will make a big difference to the lives of families in Wicklow: