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Working Family Payment (WFP)
From Department of Social Protection
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The Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free payment available to employees with children. It gives extra financial support to families with children with rates depending on their incomes and family size. The payment was previously called Family Income Supplement.
To qualify for Working Family Payment, you must meet all of these requirements:
- you work in the Irish State and pay tax and social insurance (PRSI) here
- you work 38 or more hours every fortnight
- you can combine hours from different jobs to make up 38 hours each fortnight
- you can also combine your weekly hours with the hours worked by your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant
- you cannot use time spent in self-employment or on Community Employment, Gateway, TÚS, JobBridge or the Rural Social Scheme
- your job is likely to last at least 3 months
- you have at least one child who normally lives with you. Your child must be under 18 years of age or between 18 and 22 years of age and in full-time education. For additional information on Dependant Children, please click here.
- you earn less than an amount set according to your family size
Under EU regulations, you may be able to claim WFP if your children are living abroad and dependent on you.
You cannot get Working Family Payment if you are on a Community Employment Scheme or most other job schemes. You may qualify for Working Family Payment if you are taking part in Job Initiative or the Community Service Programme.
The Working Family Payment you receive is 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and the income limit that applies to your family. Your average family income is your total earnings less tax, employee social insurance (PRSI), Universal Social Charge (USC), pension/superannuation contributions and any other income your family has.
Working Family Payment is paid directly into your current or deposit account at your bank or building society. It cannot be paid into a mortgage account. Any Working Family Payment that you qualify for will be paid from the first Thursday after the section receives your application form.
However, you will be reassessed once a year. Your payment will not change for a year (52 weeks) even if your income goes up or down. However you can ask for your payment to be reassessed if one of the following applies to you:
- you start to care for an additional child
- your One-Parent Family Payment stops
Working Family Payment is included when you are assessed for these entitlements:
- rent or mortgage supplement
- local authority housing
| Family Size | Weekly Family Income Limit | Annual Family Income Limit |
| One child | €645 | €33,540 |
| Two children | €746 | €38,792 |
| Three children | €847 | €44,044 |
| Four children | €938 | €48,776 |
| Five children | €1,064 | €55,328 |
| Six children | €1,180 | €61,360 |
| Seven children | €1,316 | €68,432 |
| Eight children or more | €1,412 | €73,424 |
The quickest way to apply for Working Family Payment is through MyWelfare.ie. A customer with a basic MyWelfare account can submit an application but will not have the full benefits of a verified MyGovID account.
First time applications are also accepted by post. Send to WFP New Claims Section with the relevant supporting documentation.
Application Form: Working Family Payment (WFP1)
Edition: December 2022
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Working Family Payment Section
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Working Family Payment Section, St. Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal, F92 T449
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Phone number:
Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.