If you have applied for International Protection, live in or are on a waiting list to move into accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth while awaiting the decision on your application, you are entitled to receive the Daily Expenses Allowance.
The allowance is payable to all applicants for International Protection who live in or are on a waiting list to move into accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
You will require a Personal Public Service (PPS) Number to access supports from the Department of Social Protection.
You will be advised if any local arrangements are in place for the allocation of PPS Numbers for residents of your accommodation centre.
The rate of the allowance is €38.80 per week for an adult and €29.80 per week for a child.
An increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult applies where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for IPAS accommodation.
An income assessment is being introduced for the Daily Expenses Allowance from June 2024 for people 18 years or over who are receiving an income for 12 weeks or more.
The Daily Expenses Allowance payment will finish where a person is getting €125 or more per week.
If a person’s income is above €60 and below €125, their reduced rate of Daily Expenses Allowance will be based on their earnings.
If a person’s income is €60 or less, their Daily Expenses Allowance payment will not be affected.
Income includes pay from a job, self-employment and social welfare payments.
For couples or families, the Daily Expenses Allowance payment from the person who has income may be reduced or withdrawn. This will not affect any payments other family members are getting.
If you are receiving the Daily Expenses Allowances and you have other income from a job, self-employment, social welfare payments and/or any other source, you should email NWCWS@welfare.ie with the details, for example if you have started work.
The table below provides some examples of how the income testing may be applied.
| Income | Less Disregard | Amount on Income Assessable (Income less Disregard) | Amount of Means Applied (60% of Income Assessable) | Rate of DEA Payment |
| €50 | €60 | €0 | €0 | €38.80 |
| €70 | €60 | €10 | €6 | €32.80 |
| €80 | €60 | €20 | €12 | €26.80 |
| €90 | €60 | €30 | €18 | €20.80 |
| €100 | €60 | €40 | €24 | €14.80 |
| €110 | €60 | €50 | €30 | €8.80 |
| €120 | €60 | €60 | €36 | €2.80 |
| €125 | €60 | €65 | €39 | €0 |
You can apply through Community Welfare Services. Learn how to access Community Welfare Services here.
Details of your local Community Welfare Service contact are available at your accommodation centre.
You can also apply by filling in the Daily Expenses Allowance application form (DEA1) and sending it to:
Sligo CWS Support Team, Social Welfare Services, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384.
Application Form: Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA1)
Edition: July 2023
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You can also get this form at your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
In some cases, you may be entitled to an Additional Needs Payment.
If you have permission to work you may access the department’s Public Employment Services through your your local Intreo Centre
If you have permission to work and are in employment, you may qualify for Working Family Payment. This is a weekly tax-free payment available to employees with children.