Parents are set to receive their February Child Benefit payments early due to a schedule shake-up.
Due to the St Brigid’s Day bank holiday, banks and post offices are closed on Monday February 3rd.
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 January 31st or Saturday February. 1st
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:
- March 4th
- April 1st
- May 6th (may be paid early due to May Bank Holiday on the 5th)
- June 3rd (may be paid early due to June Bank Holiday on the 2nd)
- July 1st
- August 5th (may be paid early due to August Bank Holiday on the 4th)
- September 2nd
- October 7th
- November 4th
- December 9th
The payment date change comes after the Department of Social Protection are rolling out a brand new grant for parents starting this month.
In Budget 2025, it was announced that a New Baby Grant of €280 will be paid in addition to the first month of Child Benefit for:
- Children born on or after December 1st 2024
- An adopted child placed in your care on or after December 1st 2024
The grant is paid alongside the child’s first Child Benefit payment of €140, meaning that altogether parents will receive €420 in respect of their new baby.
New parents with no other children will be sent a form to register for Child Benefit after they register their child’s birth, or parents with existing children who welcome a new baby will automatically have their new child added to their existing Child Benefit claim and be notified when they are due to receive Child Benefit in respect of their new baby.