How to upload documents on MyWelfare

What is MyWelfare?

MyWelfare is the online home of welfare services. It gives you easy access to a range of services, including:

• applying for certain benefits
• updating your details
• ordering statements
• view and manage your claims
• view your payment history
• have safe and secure communications with the department
• access the full range of MyWelfare services

To use MyWelfare, you need a MyGovID account. Certain services on MyWelfare are available with a basic MyGovID account.

Why upload documents on MyWelfare?

When you apply for social welfare services or when you are receiving social welfare payments, you may be asked to provide supporting documents. These documents may be needed so that the department can make a decision on your application or claim.

You can also upload relevant additional documents to your application or claim.

If you have a verified MyGovID account, you will be able to upload these documents on MyWelfare, instead of posting or emailing them. This may include photos, screenshots or scans of your documents.

You can either scan your document or take a photo or screenshot of it. Please ensure all information on your document can be seen clearly. The full document must be visible. If the images are blurry or missing information, we may ask you to resubmit this document. This will delay your application or claim decision.

To help us process your application quickly, please follow the below guidelines:

• PDFs are best – they’re easy to read and keep everything together
• we also accept JPG, JPEG, PNG, TIFF, TIF and BMP files
• single-page documents: You can take a clear photo and upload it
• multi-page documents: Please combine all pages into one file before uploading
• please submit documents in chronological order
• ensure they are in a vertical (portrait) orientation for easier review
• maximum file size: 10MB
• if your file is too large, you can post it to us instead
• the file name should not exceed 50 characters

If you created your document in Microsoft Word, you must convert it to a PDF before uploading it to MyWelfare.

On a computer (Windows or Mac):

• open your document in Microsoft Word
• click File in the top menu
• select Save As or Export
• choose PDF from the list of file types
• choose where to save the file and click Save

On a phone or tablet:

• open the document in the Microsoft Word app
• tap the three dots (⋮) or File menu
• choose Export or Save as PDF
• save the file to your device

Once saved as a PDF, you can upload it to MyWelfare.

Most people don’t have a scanner — but your smartphone can scan documents and save them as a single PDF file. This is the best way to turn a paper document into one file that’s easy to upload and the quickest for decision making.

When you create your scan make sure:

• the document is flat on a surface
• the full page is visible in each scan
• nothing is covering the information on the document
• there is good lighting

Scanning your document using an iPhone (using the Notes app)

• open the Notes app
• tap the new note icon (a square with a pencil)
• tap the attachment icon, then choose “Scan Documents”
• hold your phone over the first page. It will scan automatically once it detects the four corners of the page, or you can press the shutter button. Once the page is scanned, it will minimise to the bottom left corner and you will see a “Save” option on the lower right corner
• the camera is now ready for the next page. You can place your phone down while preparing the next page to avoid unwanted scans. Repeat step 4 until all pages are scanned
• tap “Save” on the bottom right corner when you have scanned all pages. The button will show how many pages have been scanned, for example: Save (2) or Save (5)
• the Notes app will automatically name your file and merge all pages into one PDF. To rename the file, tap the drop-down arrow. To delete a page, tap the button to the right of the drop-down arrow and choose “Delete” from the menu
• tap the share icon and choose “Save to Files” or “Send via email” to save the PDF

Scanning your document using an Android phone (using Google Drive)

• open the Google Drive app
• tap the plus (+) button, then select “Scan”
• take a photo of the first page
• tap the plus (+) icon to add more pages
• repeat for each page
• tap “Done” or “Save”
• name your file and choose a folder. It will be saved as a PDF

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions on your scanner to scan your document.

When you create your scan make sure:

• the document is flat against the surface of the scanner
• nothing is covering the information on the document

If you don’t have access to a scanner or scanning app, you can take a clear photo of each page of your document and upload them one by one. This is the least desirable form of upload for multiple pages of a document. You can use a smartphone or digital camera to take a photo of your document. When taking your photo please make sure:

• you are in a well lit area
• the document is in focus on your camera screen
• the flash is off

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for taking a screenshot on your phone.

When saving your photo, screenshot or scan, give it a descriptive name making sure not to go above 50 characters, for example, ‘bank statement 2023’

Save your documents as a JPG, JPEG, PNG, PDF, TIFF, TIF or BMP. Most devices automatically save photos or documents as one of these file types.

If you took a photo, screenshot or scan of your document using the same device you are using to access MyWelfare, you should be able to upload it directly to MyWelfare.

If you took a photo, screenshot or scan of your document using a different device to the one you are using to access MyWelfare you will need to transfer your photo to that device. You can usually do this by:

• emailing the photo, screenshot or scan to yourself and opening on your other device
• using a cable to connect your devices
• sending the image by Bluetooth

If you took a photo using a digital camera, you will need to transfer your photo from the camera to the device you are using to access MyWelfare. You can usually do this by:

• taking the memory card (sometimes known as an SD card) out of the camera and inserting it into a desktop computer or laptop
• using a cable to connect your camera with your other device.

When making an application online

If documentation is required when making an application on MyWelfare, you will be brought to a “Documents” section. Here, you can click on the “choose file” button to upload a document or drag and drop a file into the section.

If you want to add more documents, click on the “Add another file” button. You can upload multiple documents if you think they are relevant to your application.

If you want to delete a file you have uploaded, click on the “Delete” button beside the file name.

When you have selected your documents, you will see the file name on screen, if it has been uploaded successfully.

If it hasn’t worked, you will see an error message in red text. This error message will tell you why the document has not been accepted on MyWelfare. When you fix the error, you can try uploading the document again.

If you are having difficulty uploading your document, check the Preparing your Document for further information.

When updating your claim or circumstances

If you have been asked to provide additional documents for an existing claim, or you need to advice the Department of a change in your circumstances, you can upload your documents via MyWelfare directly to your claim. This will require a verified MyGovID account.

Please do not upload social welfare forms that have a barcode on any page, as this will lead to a delay in payment processing or updating your claim. Bar coded forms must be returned by post.

Once you have logged in using your verified MyGovID account, you will see all your existing claims on your MyWelfare dashboard. Click on the “Manage my claim” button next to the social welfare payment you would like to upload documents to. This will show you the actions and changes you can make to that claim. To upload documents, click on the “Upload documents” button.

You will also be asked to explain why you are uploading the document(s) to your claim. You will then need to upload the document. Click on the “choose file” button to upload a document or drag and drop a file into the section. You can upload more than one document by clicking “Add another file”

You can upload multiple documents if you think they are relevant to your application.

If you want to delete a file you have uploaded, click on the “Delete” button beside the file name.

When you have selected your documents, you will see the file name on screen, if it has been uploaded successfully.

If it hasn’t worked, you will see an error message in red text. This error message will tell you why the document has not been accepted on MyWelfare. When you fix the error, you can try uploading the document again.

If you are having difficulty uploading your document, check the Preparing your Document for further information.

What happens after uploading your documents?

When you have selected your documents, you will see the file name on screen, if it has been uploaded successfully.

If it hasn’t worked, you will see an error message in red text. This error message will tell you why the document has not been accepted on MyWelfare. When you fix the error, you can try uploading the document again.

If you want to add more documents, click on the “Add another file” button. You can upload multiple documents if you think they are relevant to your application.

If you want to delete a file you have uploaded, click on the “Delete” button beside the file name.

Send documents by post

You can also send by post within 7 working days, any additional documentation you feel may be relevant to your application. You should send your documents to the office dealing with your application.

Social Welfare Schemes and Services

If you need help

If you need help with uploading your documents please contact:

Email: support@MyWelfare.ie

Phone number:0818 625625

How MyWelfare uses your data

You can fund further information about how your data is used on the Department of Social Protection's Privacy notice.