Child Benefit dates 2027
| Month | Paid on |
|---|---|
| January | Tuesday 5 |
| February | Tuesday 2 |
| March | Tuesday 2 |
| April | Tuesday 6 |
| May | Tuesday 4 |
| June | Tuesday 1 |
| July | Tuesday 6 |
| August | Tuesday 3 |
| September | Tuesday 7 |
| October | Tuesday 5 |
| November | Tuesday 2 |
| December | Tuesday 7 |
These are the first Tuesdays of each month, the usual Child Benefit payment day. The Department of Social Protection confirms the dates, so check gov.ie if a payment hasn’t arrived.
If you’re paid into a bank account, the money can arrive a little earlier when a public holiday is near. If you collect it at the post office, you can do so from the payment day.
About Child Benefit
Child Benefit is paid for every child who qualifies, whatever your income: it isn’t means-tested. It’s €140 a month per child, so €1,680 a year, and it isn’t taxed. It’s paid for children under 16, and for older children who are in full-time education or have a disability.
If you’ve recently had a baby or moved to Ireland, check MyWelfare.ie to make sure your claim is in place: payments can be backdated only for a limited time.
Christmas Bonus
Most long-term social welfare recipients get a Christmas Bonus of 100% of their usual weekly payment, paid automatically, usually in the first week of December. You don’t need to apply.
Fuel Allowance
The 2026–27 season runs for 28 weeks, from Monday 28 September 2026 to Friday 9 April 2027. You can get it weekly, or in two lump sums. It’s for people on certain long-term social welfare payments who also meet a means test, to help with heating costs through the winter.
Weekly payments over bank holidays
Weekly payments due on a bank holiday are moved to another day. The Department of Social Protection publishes the changed dates before each holiday, including the Christmas and New Year period, so check its notice on gov.ie.
Planning around payment dates
Monthly and weekly payments arrive on fixed days, while many bills come out on others. Line up your direct debits with your payment days where you can, and plan for months with more expenses, such as August and December, with a budget. MABS (0818 07 2000) offers free help if money is tight, and payments and tax credits you might be missing lists other help worth checking.