Warning issued to parents ahead of changes to August Child Benefit payment

August's child benefit payment will be changed

The upcoming payment is set to be made earlier because of the August bank holiday weekend.

The August child benefit payment will be made days earlier because banks and post offices will be closed on Monday, August 4th.

The payment was due to be paid on Tuesday, August 5th, but the decision has been made to make the payment earlier. This means parents will likely receive the payment on August 1st or 2nd.

They want to ensure that nobody receives their payments at a later date.

The Department of Social Protection stated:

"Monday 4 August is a Bank Holiday and as a result, any social welfare payments due to be in your account on Monday 4 August will now be paid on Friday 1 August instead. Payments will be paid as normal on Tuesday, 5 August.

"All Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will be closed on Bank Holiday Monday, 4 August. Intreo Centres and Branch Offices will reopen on Tuesday, 5 August."

The news comes after a Government source claimed the Child Benefit payment may be increased by €50.

According to reports, ministers are already making their pre-budget submissions. Social Justice Ireland has recommended a €50 increase in the child benefit payment.

Social Justice Ireland stated:

“Child benefit remains a key route to tackling child poverty. It is of particular value to those families on the lowest incomes. In 2024, more than 190,000 children in Ireland were living in poverty.”

Social Justice Ireland also called for a €25 increase in social welfare payments in Budget 2026.

“The benchmarking of core social welfare rates to average earnings and a €25 increase in core social welfare payments in Budget 2026 is essential to closing this income gap, and to delivering the Programme for Government commitment to progressive budgets.

“This is part of a suite of targeted measures to support households on fixed incomes.”