Parents set to receive Child Benefit early next month thanks to date change

Parents are set to receive their August Child Benefit payments early due to a schedule shake up.

Due to the August bank holiday, banks and post offices are closed on Monday the 5th of August.

This means that any social welfare payments due to be paid on the Monday, as well as Child Benefit due on the Tuesday will be sent or made available Friday the 2nd or Saturday the 3rd.

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Parents will see their Child Benefit payments hit their accounts Friday or Saturday due to the bank holiday on Monday. This is usually the case when there is a bank holiday Monday before the first Tuesday of the month.

Below is a list of Child Benefit payment dates for the rest of the year – as well as the months they’re likely to be paid early:

• Tuesday 6th August 2024 (This is after a Bank Holiday – so it will probably be paid the previous Friday)
• Tuesday 3rd September 2024
• Tuesday 1st October 2024
• Tuesday, November 5th 2024
• Tuesday, December 3rd 2024

The payment date change comes after the Department of Social Protection made a major change to Child Benefit earlier this year.

From May 1st, Child Benefit will be paid to anyone who is 18 and in full-time education, or who has a disability, up until their 19th birthday. It was originally announced in Budget 2024 and set to be implemented from September, but it was moved up.

The measure will benefit around 60,000 children annually, and will make a big difference in the midst of the ongoing cost of living crisis.

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.

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