Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 188

Definitions of qualified child

Section 188 defines "qualified child" for supplementary welfare allowance purposes, setting out the residency, dependency, and age conditions that must be met.

• A qualified child must ordinarily reside in Ireland, depend on the beneficiary for financial support, and not themselves be a qualified adult.
• For most beneficiaries, the child must be under 18, or aged 18 or over while attending an approved course of study.
• For long-term supplementary welfare allowance recipients (at least 26 weeks, or 156 days combined with a relevant payment), extended age limits apply—allowing children aged 18 to 21 in full-time education to qualify.
• A child who turns 18 during a full-time day course continues to qualify until the following 30 June or course completion, whichever is earlier.