Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 158

Amount of increases payable in respect of qualified child normally resident with beneficiary

Section 158 sets out when a qualified child increase is reduced to half rate because both members of a couple are receiving social welfare payments.

• A qualified child increase is payable where the child normally resides with the beneficiary and the beneficiary's spouse, civil partner or cohabitant.
• Where the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is entitled to any benefit, assistance, allowance or pension under the Social Welfare Acts, the child increase is paid at half rate.
• Supplementary welfare allowance is excluded from this rule—receipt of it by the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant does not trigger the half-rate reduction.
• The provision operates subject to section 159 (rate of pension for persons in receipt of farm assist), which may modify its application in certain circumstances.