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Guardian's Payment

€237 a week for a person bringing up someone else's child.

Last checked August 2026

What it is

€237 a week for anyone bringing up a child who is not their own. Most people think it only applies when a child's parents have died, and that is the single biggest reason it goes unclaimed. A child also counts if one parent is dead, unknown, or has abandoned them and failed to provide for them, and the other parent is unknown or has abandoned them and failed to provide. That covers a lot of what is called kinship care, so grandparents, aunts, uncles, older brothers and sisters, family friends and neighbours can all claim. You do not need to be a legally appointed guardian, the child just has to live with you and be in your care. Two versions, both €237: Contributory if either parent or step-parent ever paid 26 weeks of PRSI, with no means test, and Non-Contributory, means tested on the child's own means rather than yours. Paid until the child turns 18, or 22 in full-time education. You cannot claim this and the Foster Care Allowance together, and neither is taxed.

Who can get it

You are bringing up a child who is not your own. You do not have to be a relative, and you do not have to be a legally appointed guardian
Both parents have died, or one parent is dead, unknown or has abandoned the child and failed to provide for them, and the other is unknown or has abandoned them and failed to provide
For the Contributory version, either parent or step-parent paid PRSI for 26 weeks at any time and there is no means test. For the Non-Contributory version, the child's own means are assessed

Good to know

This is the payment kinship carers miss most often. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, older brothers and sisters, family friends and neighbours can all claim it.
It is not only for children whose parents have died. A child also counts if a parent is unknown, or has abandoned them and failed to provide for them.
Both versions pay €237 a week, so the difference is how you qualify, not what you get. You cannot claim this and the Foster Care Allowance together, and neither is taxed.

How to apply

Applications go through DSP. The official page has the full eligibility rules and the application itself.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 11 August 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

How much is the Guardian's Payment?

€237 a week, for both the Contributory and the Non-Contributory version.

I am raising my grandchild. Can I claim it?

Quite possibly, and this is the case people most often assume does not count. The payment is not only for children whose parents have died. If a parent is dead, unknown, or has abandoned the child and failed to provide for them, and the other parent is unknown or has also abandoned them and failed to provide, then the child qualifies. You do not need to be a legally appointed guardian. The child just has to live with you and be in your care. The same applies to an aunt, an uncle, an older brother or sister, a family friend or a neighbour.

Is the Guardian's Payment means tested?

The Contributory version is not, it is based on a parent's PRSI record. The Non-Contributory version is means tested on the child's own means rather than yours.

How long is it paid for?

Until the child turns 18, or 22 if they remain in full time education.

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