Working Family Payment Ireland — Complete Guide 2026

Working Family Payment (formerly Family Income Supplement) is a weekly tax-free payment from the Department of Social Protection. It tops up your income if you are working but on a low wage with children.

WFP encourages employment by ensuring that work pays — even if your salary alone wouldn't cover your family's needs.

You qualify if:

• You are an employee working at least 38 hours per fortnight (as a couple) or 19 hours (as a lone parent)
• You have at least one child under 18 (or under 22 if in full-time education)
• Your assessable weekly income is below the threshold for your family size
• You have been employed for at least 3 months (new job) or are expected to work for at least 3 months

Your income threshold depends on your family size and whether you are a couple or a single applicant:

The maximum weekly payment ranges from €185 (1 child) to €360 (8+ children).

Your WFP is calculated in three steps:

1. Assessable income = gross weekly income minus disregards (30% of housing costs up to €30 + 60% of childcare costs up to €15)
2. Gap = income threshold minus assessable income (if positive)
3. WFP payment = 60% of the gap, capped at the maximum payment for your family size

Use our WFP Calculator to see your exact payment.

• WFP is tax-free — no income tax, USC, or PRSI deducted
• Payments are fixed for 52 weeks — even if your income increases during that year
• WFP can be paid alongside Child Benefit and most other social welfare payments
• You cannot get WFP while claiming Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Benefit, or One-Parent Family Payment
• Application is through MyWelfare.ie — payments are backdated to the Monday after your application