Social Welfare Ireland: Supports you could be eligible for even if you have a job
Many Irish households are struggling with the cost of living crisis. There are social welfare supports available even for those who are employed, which offer financial assistance to help with various living expenses.
With many Irish households struggling with the ongoing cost of living crisis, a lot of people will be seeking supports to help them with rising bills as we head into the autumn and winter months.
When it comes to social welfare, it is a common misconception that those with a job cannot claim any payments. However this is not the case.
There are a number of social welfare supports available to those who are working. These include the Working Family Payment, rent support and fuel allowance.
Here's a list of some social welfare supports you may be eligible for, even if you have a job.
Working Family Payment
The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children. It is in place to support those who are on low pay. To avail of it, you must be an employee, and you cannot get it if you are self-employed only.
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You must also have at least one child who normally lives with you or who you support financially, and your child must be under 18 or between 18 and 22 if they are in full-time day education.
Those eligible for the WFP will have an average weekly family income under a certain amount for the size of their family.
There are a number of conditions that must be met by those looking to avail of it including job stability beyond three months and having at least one child who lives with you.
It is paid for one year as long as you meet the conditions and does not change if your earnings from work go up or down during that year.
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance is another payment that could be helpful to those who work full time on lower pay rates. This payment helps families afford the necessities for all kids going to school.
The allowance paid for each eligible child aged 4 to 11 years on or before September 30, 2024 is €160 while an allowance of €285 is paid for each eligible child aged 12 to 22 years on or before September 30, 2024. Students aged between 18 and 22 years must be returning to full-time second-level education in a recognised school or college in the autumn of 2024 to retain an entitlement to payment.
Applications for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance opened on June 12, 2024 and will close on September 30, 2024.
Back to Work Family Dividend
The Back to Work Family Dividend may be one to consider if you are returning to work. It is there to support those moving from social welfare into employment.
If you qualify for the scheme, you will receive a weekly payment for up to two years. You will be paid the equivalent of any Increase for Qualified Children that were being paid on your jobseeker or one-parent family payment, up to a maximum of 4 children, for the first year in employment.
You will receive half that amount when you are heading into your second year of employment.
The Back to Work Family Dividend can be paid with the Working Family Payment and some other non-primary social welfare payments.
You may be eligible for the Back to Work Family Dividend if you have at least one qualified child and get either Jobseeker’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Benefit, One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker’s Transitional payment.
To qualify, you and all members of your family must sign off all primary social welfare payments.
Fuel Allowance
Fuel Allowance is a payment that helps with the cost of heating your home during winter months.
The current rate of Fuel Allowance is €33 per week. It will start on September 23, 2024 and will be paid weekly (or in two lump sums) until April 4, 2025.
To get Fuel Allowance you must live alone (or only with certain people), or be getting a qualifying payment (unless you are 70 or over), or satisfy a means test.
Rent Supplement and Tax Credit
Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment for certain people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation from their own resources. It is a short-term income support for people in the private rented sector.
Meanwhile, a Rent Tax Credit was introduced in December 2022 for people who pay for private rented accommodation. The tax credit is 20% of the rent you paid in a year, up to a maximum of €750 per person, or a €1,500 if you are a couple jointly assessed for tax.
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme consists of a basic payment, called Supplementary Welfare Allowance, and other financial supplements for certain expenses you may not be able to meet, including emergency situations.
It is a weekly payment for people that is available to those that have low or no income.
For full details of what social welfare benefits you may be eligible for, see the Citizens Information website here.
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