Single Parent Allowance or as it is otherwise known as – One- Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment which is made to men or women who are caring for a child or children without the support of a partner. The scheme was introduced on 2 January 1997 and replaced the Lone Parent’s Allowance and Deserted Wives Benefit schemes therein. 

Single Parent Allowance or as it is otherwise known as – One- Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment which is made to men or women who are caring for a child or children without the support of a partner. The scheme was introduced on 2 January 1997 and replaced the Lone Parent’s Allowance and Deserted Wives Benefit schemes therein. 
The conditions
  • Be the parent, step-parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of a relevant child(ren) and be the main carer of at least one child below 7 years of age. The child must be living with you and it cannot be made payable if the parents both have joint/equal custody of the child/children. Furthermore, the applicant can’t be living with a spouse or civil partner, nor should they be cohabiting with anyone else. 
  • The parent is applicable if they are widowed, separated or divorced - if they have been living apart for three months, unmarried or if they have a spouse/civil partner currently residing in prison. 
  • Have gross earnings from insurable employment or self-employment of €425 or less per week.
  • Applicants must undergo a means testing system and they need to be a habitually resident in Ireland. 
Things to know 
  • A person who is unmarried is required to make every effort to seek maintenance in respect of the kids from the other parent. The efforts made do not need to be made at the initial claim stage but to seek continued entitlement, it is one of the conditions to continue to seek maintenance from the child’s other parent. 
  • To qualify as a prisoner's spouse or civil partner, the detainee must have been sentenced for a term of imprisonment/detention of at least 6 months or have been in custody for at least 6 months without being sentenced. 
  • The means testing includes calculations and inspections into the financial status of applicants including savings, investments or assets e.g. property, inheritance etc.  
  • One-Parent Family Payment is made up of a personal rate and an increase for each related child. The rate depends on means and income. 
  • Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is available to persons in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment who become self-employed, however, applicants must be in receipt of Single Parent Allowance for 12 months.
Other Benefits Available
A person may also qualify for other benefits once they are entitled to Single Parent Allowance including Back to School Clothing and Footwear, Exceptional Needs Payments, Rent or Mortgage Supplement and a Medical Card once persons have satisfied a means test from the HSE.  
It does take time in getting your application together but if you are struggling financially you can apply for supplementary welfare allowance in the meantime. It is good to note that any payment will be backdated but that is little help if you are under pressure. The best advice anyone can give you is to apply as soon as possible to reduce the chances of holdups. A social welfare officer from the Department of Social Community and Family Affairs will visit you to assess your situation and ultimately help you in your application. 
To know your rights and get the most up to date information go to www.citizensinformation.ie.
Written by Emma Hayes staff writer at FFHQ who also blogs at www.emmamadjotters.com.

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