The expansion of child benefit to 18-year-olds with disabilities or full-time students from May 1st has been agreed by the Cabinet, reports RTE.
The policy, according to Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys, will help 60,000 families with 18-year-olds.
Originally scheduled to be deployed in September of this year, Minister Humphreys stated that modifications to IT now allow for its implementation as early as May, reports RTE.
The modification in child benefit is being implemented to help families cope with the rising cost of living and because a large proportion of 18-year-olds are still enrolled in second-level study. The monthly payment is €140 per kid.
Speaking as he arrived for the Cabinet meeting, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said the move is “in recognition of the fact that it is increasingly normal for 18-year-olds to be in school or even just to start their first years in college while they are 18,” reports RTE.
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