If you are widowed or a surviving civil partner you should complete the application form WCP 1 within 3 months of your spouse's or civil partner's death and send the form to:
Social Welfare Services (W/SCP Claims)
Department of Social Protection
College Road
Sligo
LoCall: 1890 500 000 (from the Republic of Ireland only) or + 353 71 9157100 (from Northern Ireland or overseas)
Warning: If you fail to apply within 3 months of becoming eligible for One-Parent Family Payment, you may lose some payment.
In all other cases you should complete application form OFP 1 and send it with the relevant certificates and documents to your local Social Welfare Office.
If you are unmarried or a person who is not a party to a civil partnership or a civil union you should apply within 3 months of the birth of your child.
If you are separated or divorced or your civil partnership or civil union has been dissolved you should apply within 6 months of the date you separated from your spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner.
However, you must be separated for 3 months before you apply, as you cannot get a payment for the first 3 months after a separation.
If you are a prisoner's spouse or civil partner you may apply when your spouse or civil partner has been in custody for at least 6 months without being sentenced, or starts their sentence, which must be for at least 6 months.