Q.  I got a letter about changes to the One-Parent Family Payment. I have been getting it since my husband died in 1998. I have 3 children who are all still in education and the youngest is 17. He will turn 18 in 2013 and will do his Leaving Certificate that year. The only other income I have is from a part-time job. Will my payment stop from January 2013?

11.03.12

In 2013 the age limit for the youngest child does drop to 17 for people who were getting the payment before 27 April 2011. However there is an exception to this limit for children who are aged between 17 and 22 and who are in full-time education. Since your youngest child will be 18 and in full-time education in 2013 payment will continue until the end of the 2012-2013 academic year, which for Leaving Cert students is 23 October.

This means that you can stay on your One-Parent Family Payment until 23 October 2013. You can also continue to get an increase in your payment for your other children (provided they are under 22 and still in full-time education). However after that you may need to apply for another social welfare payment. You will probably need to get advice on the most appropriate payment for your situation – for example you could apply for a Widow’s Pension.

There have been some other changes to One-Parent Family Payment. In particular the amount of earnings you are allowed to have without affecting your payment has been reduced from €145 to €130 per week. If the gross earnings from your part-time job are over €130 (after you subtract PRSI, pension contributions and trade union subscriptions) your One-Parent Family Payment may be reduced.

Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741

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