What will the proposed changes to the One-Parent Family Payment mean for you?

• For new customers applying for the One-Parent Family payment from April 2011, it is proposed that the payment will be made to them until the youngest child reaches age 13 years.  However, if you are receiving Domiciliary Care Allowance for your child then payment will continue until your child is 16.
• For those with new born babies the change in the payment will not affect you until 2024.
•  For parents currently in receipt of the One-Parent Family payment, there will be a phasing out period of 6 years to enable you to access education and training, to support you in your return to employment. Therefore, the cut off point of age 13 will only come in to effect six years from now, in 2016. 
• For existing customers, the age 18 cut off point will remain for 2011 and 2012.
  •  In 2013 it will be reduced to 17 years,
  • in 2014, 16 years,
  • in 2015, 15 years
  • and in 2016, 13 years.  
• For those of you in receipt of One-Parent Family payment and with children in full time education there is also a special provision as in this case, payment will continue until the end of the 2012 – 2013 academic year or until your child reaches age 22 – whichever is the earlier.
• Parents who are not in work by the time these changes affect them may be eligible for Jobseekers Allowance, which is payable at the same rate as the One Parent Family Payment and the relevant conditions will apply, the main one being that you are available and looking for full time work.
• There is a special provision for both married and co-habiting parents who are recently bereaved and who have children aged 13 years or older. They will continue to receive the payment for up to 2 years or until their child is 18 years old to enable them to come to terms with their changed circumstances.

If you would to talk to our helpline staff then please call 1890 66 22 12 (higher costs may apply to mobiles) or 01 662 9212 or email info@onefamily.ie