20-05-2025
Another 19,000 Irish families could qualify for extra €924 social welfare cash under new rule change – are you eligible?
A €924 social welfare payment could be available to thousands of Irish families in a few months as the government considers expanding eligibility rules of the payment in the next budget.
The Department of Social Protection hinted that
As outlined in the Programme for Government earlier this year, Department officials were asked to review and research the extension of eligibility for the
The review includes an analysis of the impact that a "potential extension of eligibility" would have on lone parent households.
Fuel Allowance, which is designed to help people with the cost of heating their home in the winter months, is paid out at a rate of €33 weekly or in two lump sums of €462 each in September and January.
And Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary last week confirmed he will "carefully consider" the new review into the extension of the payment.
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Thousands more people qualified for the scheme this year after the government reduced the eligibility age by four years in the budget.
"The updating of the report is still ongoing and when finished, I will carefully consider its contents and any recommendations that it may contain as part of the budget planning process.
"Any decisions to expand for the Fuel Allowance to those in receipt of the Working Family Payment will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources."
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Currently, the weekly €33 Fuel Allowance payment is issued to over 400,000 Irish households.
Little known social welfare benefits thousands are entitled to
And some 19,641 Working Family Payment claims were awarded to Irish parents last year, it has been confirmed.
New rules introduced in Budget 2025 saw the payment extended to those aged 66 and over.
The means test disregard was previously for over 70s.
Now, people aged under 66 will have to meet certain eligibility requirements for the payment.
This includes living alone or living with specific people or getting a qualifying means payment.
People on the Carer's Allowance were also deemed eligible for the Fuel Allowance boost, providing they meet the criteria.
And the Programme for Government has confirmed eligibility may be extended those in receipt of the Working Family Payment in Budget 2026.
WORKING FAMILY PAYMENT RULES
PARENTS can get a weekly tax-free WFP payment if they are an employee and:
Work 38 or more hours per fortnight. 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.
Your job is likely to last at least three months
You have at least one child, aged under 18, who normally lives with you
You earn less than the WFP income limit set for your family size
Those eligible must pay tax and
Under EU regulations, you may be able to claim WFP if your children live abroad and depend on you.
WFP is paid for one year, 52 weeks, as long as you meet the conditions.
Minister Calleary said those who qualify for WFP must be working a minimum of "eight hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them".
People cannot avail of the scheme if they are
With the WFP payment, you get 60 per cent of the difference between your average weekly family income and the WFP income limit for your family size.
Over 24,000 people have applied for the social welfare payment so far this year, with 19,641 claims being rewarded.
The average time for new claims to be rewarded this year is 10 weeks, according to Calleary.
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The boost is under consideration
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