04 Jun 2026
Raising children on your own is hard work, and Ireland's social welfare system has a payment designed specifically to help. It's called the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP), and if you're parenting alone with young children and a low income, you may qualify for €254 a week plus extra payments for each child.
This guide breaks down who can claim it, how much you'll get in 2026, how the means test works, and how to apply.
The One-Parent Family Payment is a weekly social welfare payment from the Department of Social Protection. It's for parents under 66 who are bringing up children without the support of a partner.
The payment goes directly to you, not through your ex-partner or any other route. You can also work and still receive OFP, as long as your income is below a certain level.
Alongside the cash payment, getting OFP can open the door to other supports:
For many lone parents, OFP is the main financial cushion that makes everyday life manageable.
To get OFP, you must:
If you have joint equal custody of your children with your ex-partner, OFP cannot be paid.
If you are separated, divorced, or your civil partnership has been dissolved, you must have been living apart from your spouse or civil partner for at least 3 months, and not be receiving adequate financial maintenance from them.
If your spouse or civil partner is in prison, they must have been sentenced to at least 6 months or have already been in custody for that long.
Your youngest child must usually be under 7 years of age.
There are some exceptions where you can get OFP for older children:
Once your youngest child turns 7 (or 16 in the exception cases above), OFP stops. Many parents then move onto the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment, which lasts until your youngest child turns 14.
The 2026 rates went up by €10 a week in January.
| Payment type | Weekly amount |
|---|---|
| Personal rate (parent) | €254 |
| Child under 12 | €58 per child |
| Child aged 12 and over | €78 per child |
So a parent with one child under 12 gets €312 a week. A parent with two kids (one under 12, one over 12) gets €390 a week. The child amounts apply per child until they turn 18, or 22 if they're in full-time education.
OFP is a taxable income, but in practice most recipients don't owe tax on it because their income is below the threshold. You can read more on how income tax in Ireland works if you're combining OFP with part-time work.
OFP is means-tested, which means the Department of Social Protection looks at all your sources of income before deciding how much you get.
The means test is more generous than people expect. Here's how it works:
So if you earn €300 a week, only (€300 - €165) ÷ 2 = €67.50 is counted as means. That's what gets deducted from your full OFP rate.
This means most part-time work won't wipe out your payment. You can keep a reduced OFP and your earnings together up to a certain limit.
Child maintenance is no longer assessed in the means test from 6 June 2024. Only maintenance paid for you personally is counted, and only half of that amount.
If you pay rent or a mortgage, you can offset up to €95.23 per week of your housing cost against the maintenance you receive before half the balance is assessed.
You can keep OFP while working part-time. If your pay drops, send a recent payslip and a letter from your employer to your Intreo Centre and they'll reassess your rate.
You can also study while on OFP. You have two options:
You can't get BTEA and a student grant together, so it's worth working out which option pays more in your situation.
If you become fully unemployed while on OFP after 31 March 2025, you may be eligible for Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit on top, with the combined amount capped at the maximum Jobseeker's Pay-Related Benefit rate.
To apply, fill in the OFP1 application form from gov.ie and send it with your supporting documents to your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
OFP can be paid directly into your bank account, or you can collect it from your local Post Office using your Public Services Card or Social Services Card with photo ID.
If your application is refused and you think the decision was wrong, you can appeal it through the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
If you've moved to Ireland from another country and are now parenting alone here, you can apply for OFP as long as you meet the habitual residence condition and the other qualifying rules.
The habitual residence test looks at things like how long you've lived in Ireland, your work and family ties, and whether Ireland is your main centre of life. EU citizens working in Ireland usually pass the test more easily than non-EU arrivals.
If you're supporting children both in Ireland and back home, OFP won't cover relatives outside Ireland, but it can free up a portion of your earnings to keep sending support to family abroad. ACE Money Transfer is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland and sends to over 100 countries with a fee-free first transfer. For new arrivals settling in, see our financial guide for Pakistanis in Ireland.
If you're parenting alone and want help understanding your options, two organisations offer free information and support:
Your local Citizens Information Centre can also help with general advice on welfare entitlements and the application process.
The One-Parent Family Payment is one of the most important supports available to lone parents in Ireland. With the 2026 rate of €254 a week plus child amounts, it's designed to give parents breathing room while raising young children.
If you think you might qualify, apply as soon as you're eligible. The application is free, and organisations like Treoir, One Family, and your local Citizens Information Centre can help you through it.
For new arrivals settling into life in Ireland, our cultural handbook for Indian expats in Ireland is also worth a read.
The personal rate is €254 per week, with €58 per week for each child under 12 and €78 per week for each child aged 12 and over.
Yes. The first €165 of your gross weekly earnings is ignored, and half of the rest is assessed as means. Most part-time work won't disqualify you.
Your youngest child must usually be under 7. The limit extends to 16 if you're getting Domiciliary Care Allowance, half-rate Carer's Allowance, or Blind Pension, or up to 2 years if your spouse has died.
No. Since 6 June 2024, child maintenance payments are no longer assessed in the means test for OFP. Only maintenance paid for you personally is counted.
Your OFP will stop. You may then be eligible for the Jobseeker's Transitional Payment, which is available until your youngest child turns 14.
Disclaimer: This article is intended for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, tax, business, or financial advice. The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of ACE Money Transfer. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no warranty is given as to the completeness, accuracy, or currency of the information. Services and practices mentioned may vary by provider and jurisdiction. Readers should consult qualified professional advisors before making any financial or business decisions.
