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Thousands of people don’t realise they qualify for the Working Family Payment

Published 09:05 31 May 2024 BST

Updated 14:52 31 May 2024 BST

Sophie Collins

Thousands of people don’t realise they qualify for the Working Family Payment

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There are lots of families in Ireland who may not realise they’re entitled to this payment

The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for people in the workforce who have children.

It supports those who are on lower pay and may be better known by its old title, the Family Income Supplement (FIS).

In order to be eligible for this weekly sum, you have to be an employee - you can’t get it if you are self-employed.

Citizen’s Information explains that you need to have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially.

They must be under 18 (or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education).

To get the WFP, your average weekly family income must be under a certain amount for your family size.

With the WFP payment, you get 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and the WFP income limit for your family size (for more information, see ‘Rate of Working Family Payment’ below).

WFP is not taken into account in the means test for a medical card.

Rules

You can get a weekly tax-free WFP payment if you are an employee and:

Work 38 or more hours per fortnight (in any combination of hours). You can combine your weekly hours with your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant's hours to meet this condition. You cannot use time spent in self-employment (or on Community Employment, Tús, JobBridge or the Rural Social Scheme) to meet this condition.
Your job is likely to last at least 3 months
You have at least one child who normally lives with you
You earn less than the WFP income limit set for your family size
You must pay tax and PRSI in Ireland. Under EU regulations, you may be able to claim WFP if your children are living abroad and are dependent on you.

You can get the Working Family Payment if you are an apprentice as well, as long as you meet the rules for getting WFP.

How it’s Paid

WFP is paid for one year (52 weeks), as long as you meet the conditions.

It does not change if your earnings from work go up or down during that year.

After 52 weeks, you can apply again for WFP - this is because within that time, some changes to your situation can affect your WFP.

Details of all changes that are considered when you’re applying for another year can be found here.

How to Apply

To apply, fill in an application form for Working Family Payment. You can get a copy of this form in your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

You can get help filling it in at an Intreo Centre, Social Welfare Branch Office or Citizens Information Centre.

To make sure that your application for WFP is processed as quickly as possible, you should send your most recent payslips with your application form.

You can also apply for the Working Family Payment online at MyWelfare.ie if you have a MyGovID verified account.

You will need to provide your bank details and information about your (and your partner’s) income and most recent payslips.
For more information, click here.