Working Family Payment: weekly support for families on lower pay

Work at least 38 hours a fortnight and have children? Working Family Payment pays 60% of the gap between your income and a limit, raised €30 in Budget 2027.

The Working Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly, tax-free payment for employees with children whose family income is below a limit for their family size. Many families who qualify don't claim, often because they assume a full-time wage rules them out.

Who qualifies

• you are an employee (self-employment alone doesn't count) and pay tax and PRSI in Ireland
• you work at least 38 hours a fortnight; a couple can add their hours together
• the job is expected to last at least three months
• at least one child under 18, or under 22 in full-time education, lives with you or depends on you
• your average weekly family income is below the limit

The income limits

Family income means the earnings of you and any spouse, civil partner or cohabitant after income tax, USC, employee PRSI and pension contributions. Most other income is added. Child Benefit, maintenance for a child and Fuel Allowance are not counted, and savings are not counted.

How much

WFP is 60% of the difference between your weekly family income and the limit. For a couple with two children and one earner on €32,000 in 2026:

That is about €9,168.64 a year, tax-free. Once awarded, WFP is paid for 52 weeks at the same rate, even if your pay rises. You then reapply, within four weeks of it ending.

What else it brings

• since January 2026, Fuel Allowance is paid automatically with WFP, if no one else in the household gets it
• the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
• it isn't counted in the means test (the income check) for a medical card

You can keep WFP while on maternity, paternity, adoptive or parent's leave, and for up to six weeks of illness. It stops if your hours fall below 38 a fortnight or you lose your job.

Work it out

• Take-home pay →
• PAYE calculator →

Sources

• Citizens Information: Social welfare rates 2026 (checked 25/10/2026)
• Citizens Information: Social welfare rates 2027 (checked 25/10/2026)
• Citizens Information: Budget 2027 (checked 25/10/2026)

General information, not tax advice. HeyPenny is not a tax agent.