How parents can apply for little-known social welfare payment as 50,000 missing out

An Oireachtas Social Protection Committee hearing revealed that over 50,000 eligible families may be entitled to the payment – here’s everything you need to know

People are being urged to check their eligibility for the Working Family Payment following an Oireachtas Social Protection Committee hearing which revealed that over 50,000 eligible families may be entitled to the payment. Here’s everything you need to know about the weekly payment.

• Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children. It supports people who are on low pay. WFP used to be called Family Income Supplement (FIS).
• You must be an employee to get WFP. You cannot get it if you are self-employed only.
• You must have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially. Your child must be under 18 (or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education).
• To get WFP, your average weekly family income must be under a certain amount for your family size. The WFP payment you get is 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and the WFP income limit for your family size.
• 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.
• To qualify for Working Family Payment, your child must be under 18, or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education.
• From 1 January 2026, if you are getting WFP, you are considered to satisfy the means test for Fuel Allowance.
• The DSP will assess your household income in a means test. It compares your total income to the WFP income limit for your family size. If you earn less than the WFP income limit, you may get WFP.
• Your WFP will be 60% of the difference between the WFP income limit for your family size and your assessable income. The combined income of a couple (who are married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting) is taken into account when calculating assessable income.
• You can apply for the Working Family Payment online at MyWelfare.ie if you have a MyGovID verified account.
• To apply by post, fill in an application form for Working Family Payment (WFP1). You can get a copy of this form in your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.

Get full details about Working Family Payment here.

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