Publication
Social Welfare supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
The European Union has put in place a temporary protection directive to allow Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU as EU citizens.
If you are a Ukrainian citizen or if you are fleeing Ukraine and are covered by the directive, the Government of Ireland will provide support and services to assist you as you establish yourself in Ireland.
You can find information below on what income supports you can get while you are in Ireland and how to get these supports and services.
We are here to help and support you during your time here.
To get government public services you will need a Personal Public Services Number (PPSN).
Your PPSN is a unique reference number that helps you get social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland.
All adults and children will need their own PPSN.
A PPSN is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters.
Special arrangements have been made for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland so you do not need to apply for a PPSN online
Most Ukrainians arriving in Ireland come through Dublin Airport. If you arrive at Dublin Airport you will be brought to the City West Convention Centre located at Garters Lane, Saggart, Co. Dublin D24A38Y. You will be able apply for your PPSN here.
If you did not arrive through Dublin airport or you are already in Ireland, and have not applied for a PPSN you can apply at one of our offices. If you are living in Dublin, Cork or Limerick you should go to one of the Ukrainian Support Centres. You can also call into your local office , here our staff will help you to get a PPSN.
If you already have an Irish PPSN, please bring this with you to your nearest office.
To get a PPSN you will need to bring a form of identification such as:
- your Ukrainian National Identity Card,
- your Ukrainian Passport,
or
- another form of identification.
When applying for your PPSN you will also be able to apply for an income support payment if you need it.
This is a weekly social welfare payment and is also paid for adult and child dependants.
The department will pay Child Benefit to parents or guardians for each child aged under 16 years. Child Benefit is €140 a month for each child
You can also get Child Benefit for children aged 16 and 17 if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.
You do not need to provide evidence of education or training for children aged 16 and 17 for the first 2 months. You will need to provide evidence from the third month.
If you have already talked to someone from the Department of Social Protection and applied for your PPSN and for income support you do not need to do anything else. You will have been given a letter with information on the next steps.
- You should wait for 5 business days and then come into your local office to collect your PPSN
- We will contact you by phone, email or letter to let you know when your application has been processed
If you are already in Ireland and have not met with someone from our department you can apply for your PPSN and income supports at one of our offices. If you live in Dublin, Limerick or Cork you should visit one of our Ukraine Support Centres in those cities. You can also visit one of our local offices which are located across the country. Our staff will help you with your applications.
You will also be able to apply for income supports for yourself and any adult or child dependants you have.
This personal income support will be paid weekly into your local Post Office. Our staff will give you the details of your local Post Office.
If you have children who are eligible for Child Benefit, you will get this payment on the first Tuesday of every month. This will also be paid into your local Post Office.
You can also apply to get your payment made directly into your account in a financial institution, for example, a bank or credit union. You can do this when your income support claim has been awarded and you have received your first payment at the Post Office.
Payments can only be made to an account in an Irish financial institution, or a Revolut or N26 account in your own name. You can do this for both your personal income support and for any Child Benefit payment.
Application Form: Direct Payment to an Account in a Financial Institution (DIR PMT1)
Edition: October 2021
DownloadThe temporary protection allows you to work while you are in Ireland. If you are receiving income support and you find a job you must let us know. To let us know you should go to your local Ukraine Support Centre (located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick cities) or to your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
If you would like to find a job in Ireland you can check out employment opportunities at www.jobsireland.ie or you can call into your local Intreo Centre and one of our employment services officers can help you.
If you are on a social welfare payment and taking up work you can check how this could affect your payment at www.mywelfare.ie.
Contact your Intreo Centre when there is any change in your circumstances.
If you move address, you must let us know as soon as possible.
To let us know you should go to your local Ukraine Support Centre (located in Dublin, Cork and Limerick cities) or to your local Intreo Centre or branch office.
If you arrived at Dublin Airport before 9 March (when permission letters first began to issue) or if you have arrived into another port of entry to the State there are currently two ways in which you can receive your permission letter:
- If you are staying in accommodation provided to you by the State and have not already received your permission letter, staff from the Department of Justice are visiting the accommodation locations and will provide your permission letter to you there.
- You can also get your permission letter by visiting the Ukraine Support Centre in Cork Street, Dublin 8 or Dominick Street, Limerick.
Arrangements are also being put in place that will allow people to obtain their permission letters from the Ukraine Support Centre in Hanover Street in Cork City. Further details on this will be communicated shortly.
- Cork - Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Department of Social Protection, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62
- Dublin - Guild Building, Cork Street, Dublin 8, D08 XH90
- Limerick - Dominick Street, Limerick, V94 X327
The opening hours for these centres are:
| Monday | 9.15am - 5pm | |
| Tuesday | 9.15am - 5pm | |
| Wednesday | 9.15am - 5pm | |
| Thursday | 10.30am - 5pm | |
| Friday | 9.15am - 4.30pm |
If you are not based in Dublin, Cork or Limerick, please visit your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office. See a full list of offices.
- Intreo Centres or Branch Offices - These are the offices that provide social welfare services in Ireland.
- Ukraine Support Centre - These are offices which provide a range of government supports to those arriving in Ireland as a result of the conflict in Ukraine.
