Guardian's Payment: €237 a week when you raise someone else's child

Grandparents raising grandchildren often miss this because they think it needs a court order. It doesn't: the child needs to live with you and you need to be responsible for their care.

Who counts as an orphan

A child is treated as an orphan if "They are under 18 (or 22 if in full-time education) and" both parents have died, or one parent has died, is unknown or has abandoned them and the other is unknown or has abandoned them.

That covers many kinship care situations: a parent who has left and is not providing for the child, with the other parent dead or unknown.

Contributory or non-contributory

"If either parent or step-parent had worked at any time and paid PRSI for 26 weeks, the orphan is entitled to the Guardian's Payment (Contributory)." "This may be paid for an orphan living in the State or abroad and is not means tested."

Otherwise, the non-contributory version applies. "The means test for this is based on the orphan's means." Your own income is not counted. You need to be habitually resident.

Other rules

"You cannot get one of these payments and a Foster Care Allowance together." "Guardian's Payment (Contributory), Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory) and Death Benefit/Orphan's Pension are not taxed."

If a parent died from a work accident or occupational disease, a Death Benefit orphan's pension may be paid instead. "The Death Benefit/Orphan's Pension payable under the Occupation Injuries Scheme is €240.80."

How to apply

Fill in the Guardian's Payment application form, online or from your post office, and send it to Social Welfare Services in Sligo, (071) 915 7100. While you wait, you can ask your Community Welfare Officer about Supplementary Welfare Allowance or an Additional Needs Payment. Child Benefit can also transfer to you.

Common questions

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