One-Parent Family Payment in Ireland
The One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a payment for men and women who are bringing children up without the support of a partner.
To qualify for a One-Parent Family Payment you must:
• Be aged under 66
• Be the parent, step-parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of a child under 7. (There are some exceptions to this.)
• Be the main carer of at least one child under the age limit. The child must live with you. OFP is not paid if the parents have joint equal custody of a child or children.
• Pass a means test – a means test looks at any income that you have.
• Live in Ireland and meet the habitual residence condition – find out more about exemptions from the habitual residency condition.
• Not be living with a spouse, civil partner or cohabiting
For further information please visit: Citizens Information – One Parent Family Payment
Cross Border Issues
Living North and Working South
Q) A person resident in Ireland plans to take up part time work in Northern Ireland. Can they continue to claim One-Parent Family Payment from the Department of Social Protection?
A) Yes, however, it is a little bit complicated:
1. Before accepting the job in Northern Ireland, the person should contact their Social Welfare Officer to explain the situation and confirm their situation.
2. Then the person takes the job and they apply for UK Child Benefit. They can also apply for Universal Credit.
3. Based on their residence they can also continue to receive OPFP as a top-up/supplement payment.
In general, the country you work in is responsible for paying Social Welfare payments. But if the rate of Family Benefit you get in the UK is less than that paid in the Republic of Ireland, you can apply to get your payment topped up by Ireland.
Ireland and the UK have agreed to continue paying social welfare to cross border workers and to recognise insurance contributions (national insurance or PRSI) paid in the other country, in the same way as when the UK was part of the EU.
Source: Citizens Information- cross-border workers
Note: People working North, living South who currently receive UK Tax Credits can continue to do so with OPFP as a supplement paid quarterly. (Existing Tax Credit claims are being gradually moved to Universal Credit,however, a change in personal circumstances can also result in a compulsory move to Universal Credit.) Please see: Border People – Tax Credits in Northern Ireland
Living North and Working South
If you are living North and working South you can receive OPFP as outlined below:
OPFP is regarded as a Family Benefit under EU Regulations on the Coordination of Social Security Systems (Regulation 883/2004). Where these regulations apply, usually in the situations where a person is employed or self-employed here, they are exempt from satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition.
On the 31st December 2020, the Convention on Social Security agreed between Ireland and the United Kingdom was commenced. Together these Agreements ensure, that all existing social security arrangements for Irish & UK citizens are maintained into the future.
Source: Gov.ie operational guidelines
See Also:
Page last checked: November 2022
This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.
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