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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
What is the Working Family Payment?
Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children. It supports people who are on low pay.
You must be an employee to get WFP. You cannot get it if you are self-employed only. You must have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially. Your child must be under 18 (or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education).
To get WFP, your average weekly family income must be under a certain amount for your family size. The WFP payment you get is 60% of the difference between your average weekly family income and the WFP income limit for your family size.
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If I claimed WFP would it affect my medical card entitlement?
No. WFP is not taken into account in the means test for a medical card.
What are the qualifying conditions for WFP?
To qualify for WFP you must meet the following conditions:
• Work 38 or more hours per fortnight (in any combination of hours). You can combine your weekly hours with your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant’s hours to meet this condition. You cannot use time spent in self-employment (or on Community Employment, Tús, JobBridge or the Rural Social Scheme) to meet this condition.
• Your job is likely to last at least 3 months
• You have at least one child who normally lives with you
• You earn less than the WFP income limit set for your family size
What are the current income limits to qualify for WFP?
The DSP will assess your household income in a means test. It compares your total income to the WFP income limit for your family size. If you earn less than the WFP income limit, you may get WFP. Your WFP will be 60% of the difference between the WFP income limit for your family size and your assessable income.
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Are there any other family supports available?
If you are getting WFP, you may also be entitled to the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
How long will I receive WFP?
WFP is paid for one year (52 weeks) as long as you meet the conditions. It does not change if your earnings from work go up or down during that year. After 52 weeks, you can apply again for WFP.
What happens to my WFP if I change jobs?
If you move to a new job, your current entitlement to WFP will end and you must tell the WFP section of the Department of Social Protection. You can apply again for WFP for your new job.
What happens to my WFP if my hours are reduced or I lose my job?
If the number of hours you work each week falls to under 38 hours a fortnight, you are no longer entitled to WFP. If you lose your job, you are no longer entitled to WFP. In both situations, you must tell the WFP section of the Department of Social Protection about the change in your circumstances.
Can I get WFP if I am an apprentice?
You can get the Working Family Payment if you are an apprentice as long as you meet the rules for getting WFP. An apprenticeship usually alternates between off-the-job training in an education centre and on-the-job training at your employer’s workplace. For the purposes of WFP, apprentices are considered to be in the employment of their employer while in both on-the-job and off-the-job training.
I live & work in Ireland but my children are in another EU country, Can I claim WFP?
Under EU regulations you may be able to claim WFP if your children are living abroad and are dependent on you.
• For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary.
The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.
