Working Family Payment Ireland, Rates, Eligibility and How to Apply
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly payment that is tax-free and is administered to employees who have children. When your family income is low, and you cannot afford to live on the government ration, this government programme offers you a bridge to employment status.
To receive this assistance, your eligibility is determined by your family’s net income and the number of dependent children at home. The WFP also offsets the expenses of raising a family, enabling low-income families to maintain a living standard while staying active in the labour market.
What is the working family payment?
The Working Family Payment is an old social welfare programme in the Republic of Ireland, previously referred to as the Family Income Supplement (FIS). It was changed to a name that better mirrors its goal, i.e., assisting families who are already working but with less income.
A household can only pay one of its parents or guardians. It is computed on a percentage ratio of what your actual income is as compared to the limit set by the government for your family. This makes sure that a large amount of financial support is given to those having bigger families or the lowest relative income.
The scheme is aimed mainly at promoting employment. The government gives you an extra amount of money on top of your earnings. The government ensures that the parents are not financially punished for going to work instead of staying on jobseeker benefits.
Working family payment income limit
The average family income per week should not exceed a certain threshold to be eligible to receive the WFP. These limits are calculated by the number of children that you have and periodically revised by the Department of Social Protection.
| Family Size | Weekly Family Income Limit | Annual Family Income Limit |
| One child | €765 | €39,780 |
| Two children | €866 | €45,032 |
| Three children | €967 | €50,284 |
| Four children | €1,058 | €55,016 |
The bigger the family, the bigger the threshold as a result of the increased cost of living. The department takes into account your net income when determining your eligibility. It means your take-home pay after tax, PRSI and Universal Social Charge (USC) are subtracted out, which is important when comparing earnings against the minimum wage in Ireland.
Who qualifies for the Working Family Payment in Ireland?
There are certain requirements that you have to meet in order to get WFP Ireland benefits. The most important requirement is that you must have at least one dependent child who resides with you or whom you provide financial support.
Eligibility Checklist:
You need to work at least 38 hours per fortnight (you can combine your hours with a spouse or a partner).
- Your job must be expected to last at least three months.
- You have to be in PAYE employment (self-employed people do not usually qualify).
- The income of your total family should not exceed the amount set for the family size.
The best thing about this scheme is that it is flexible. Where a parent works 20 hours and the other 18, the total of 38 hours covers the requirement.
How much is the working family payment?
There is no fixed rate of WFP. Rather, it is calculated as 60 per cent of the difference of your family’s income and the income limit for your family unit.
For example, suppose that the limit of a family with two children is €866, and you earn €700 a week; the difference is €166. You would then get 60% of that difference, giving you a weekly payment of €99.60.
It has a minimum payment of EUR 20 per week. If your calculated payment is lower than this, you will still get the €20 as long as you do not violate other eligibility rules.
How to apply for the Working Family Payment?
There are two main channels to apply to the WFP. The quickest way would be through direct application online through MyWelfare.ie, and it would need a verified MyGovID account.
Alternatively, you may complete the paper application form WFP1. This form can be found at your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. You will have to provide:
- Your current payslips and those of your partner.
- Your children’s PPS numbers.
- Bank account details for weekly transfer.
After approval, the payment will typically start on the first Thursday after you have submitted your application.
When and how is the payment made?
Working Family Payment is transferred every week into your account of choice at the bank or building society. This is normally given for a fixed span of 52 weeks.
One of the greatest advantages of this scheme is the stability: when you have a specific rate, you usually keep it throughout the year, even though your income might increase or decrease by a small margin during that period. After 52 weeks, you must undergo an assessment in order to renew the payment.
Other support you may get?
Receiving the Working Family Payment is the passport to other benefits. As an example, recipients of WFP usually receive a back-to-school clothing and footwear allowance.
You can also receive a fuel allowance or other housing allowances. The combined welfare benefits are aimed at offering a full-fledged safety net to working parents so that the expenses of basic necessities such as heating and school supplies can be afforded.
Some households also compare Working Family Payment with disability allowance in Ireland when reviewing which long term supports may apply to their circumstances.
