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 (PPS) Number.
Your PPS Number 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 PPS Number.
A PPS Number 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 PPS Number online
Most Ukrainians arriving in Ireland come through Dublin Airport. If you arrive at Dublin Airport you will be brought to the Citywest Convention Centre located at Garters Lane, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 A38Y. You will be able to apply for your PPS Number here.
If you did not arrive through Dublin airport or you are already in Ireland, and have not applied for a PPS Number you can call into your local office. Here our staff will help you to get a PPS Number.
If you already have an Irish PPS Number, please bring this with you to your nearest office.
To get a PPS Number you will need to bring a form of identification such as:
- your Ukrainian National Identity Card,
- your Ukrainian Passport,
or
- another form of identification.
Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. 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.
You will also be able to apply for an income support payment if you need it.
An income support payment may also include an increase for adult and child dependents.
If you have already talked to someone from the Department of Social Protection and applied for your PPS Number you will have been given a letter with information on the next steps. You will have been provided with an income support application form and guidance material in Ukrainian on how to complete the form.
- you should wait for 5 business days and then come into your local office to collect your PPS Number and bring your completed Income Support form with you
- 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 PPS Number and income supports at one of our local offices which are located across the country. Our staff will help you with your applications.
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.
Your income support will be paid weekly into your local Post Office. Our staff will give you the details of 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 income support and for any Child Benefit payment.
Application Form: Direct Payment to an Account in a Financial Institution (DIR PMT1)
Edition: May 2022
The 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 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 or Branch Office 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 MyWelfare.ie.
Contact your Intreo Centre or Branch Office 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 Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
If you are getting income support from the Department of Social Protection you should let us know of your absence in advance of travel, you can do this by visiting your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
If you arrived at Dublin Airport before 9 March 2022 (when permission letters first began to issue) or if you have arrived into another port of entry to the State, you can get your permission letter by visiting one of these centres:
- Citywest Convention Centre, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 A38Y
- Cork City PSC and PPSN Centre, Ground Floor, Hanover Street, Cork, T12 PX62
- Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominick Street, Limerick, V94 X327
If you have any difficulty getting to one of the dedicated centres, please contact us at ukrainesupportmailbox@justice.ie and we will do our best to make other arrangements for you.
Government supports are available from your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.
Contact details and opening hours for all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices are available here.
- Intreo Centres or Branch Offices - These are the offices that provide social welfare services in Ireland.