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Working Family Payment

What Working Family Payment would actually pay you

WFP tops up the wages of employees with children. It is worth up to a few hundred euro a week, it is tax-free, and a lot of families who qualify never claim it. Enter what you earn and we'll show the figure and the working behind it.

€

Before tax, USC and PRSI

WFP assesses both partners' income

Under 18, or 18–22 in full-time education

Yours and your partner's combined

Estimated Working Family Payment

€199.39 a week

About €10,368 a year, tax-free.

Limit for 2 children
€866.00/wk
Your assessed income
€533.68/wk
Shortfall × 60%
€332.32 → €199.39

From January 2027: €217.39 a week on the same income, under the higher income limits announced in Budget 2027 (€896.00 a week for 2 children).

Announced, not yet in force. Until then the current limits apply.

WFP pays 60% of the gap between net weekly family income and the limit for your family size, with a €20 a week minimum. Limits effective January 2026. Once awarded, your rate is fixed for 52 weeks and will not drop if your pay rises. An estimate — the Department of Social Protection decides your actual claim.

The 2026 income limits

Every limit below rose by €60 a week in January 2026. If you were refused WFP in a previous year on income grounds, that alone may be enough to change the answer.

Working Family Payment weekly income limits by number of children, 2026
Children Weekly income limit Most WFP could pay
1 €765 €459
2 €866 €520
3 €967 €580
4 €1,058 €635
5 €1,184 €710
6 €1,300 €780
7 €1,436 €862
8 or more €1,532 €919

The right-hand column is the theoretical maximum — 60% of the full limit, which would only apply at zero net income. In practice you must be working 38 hours a fortnight to qualify at all, so your real figure sits below it.

Deciding whether a job is worth taking?

WFP is often the difference between a job paying and not paying — but childcare and travel costs can eat it. The benefit of work calculator puts the two sides together and tells you what a job needs to pay before you're better off.

Working Family Payment — common questions

How is Working Family Payment calculated?
WFP pays 60% of the difference between your net weekly family income and the income limit for your family size. For example, with one child the 2026 limit is €765 a week. If your net family income is €565, the shortfall is €200, and WFP pays 60% of that — €120 a week. If you qualify at all, the minimum payment is €20 a week.
What is the Working Family Payment income limit for 2026?
The 2026 weekly limits are €765 for one child, €866 for two, €967 for three, €1,058 for four, €1,184 for five, €1,300 for six, €1,436 for seven, and €1,532 for eight or more. Every limit rose by €60 a week in January 2026, so it is worth re-checking if you were turned down before.
What income counts for Working Family Payment?
WFP assesses net family income — your pay after income tax, USC, PRSI and pension contributions, plus your partner's income, self-employment, rental or farm income, most social welfare payments, and spousal maintenance. Child Benefit, child maintenance, Fuel Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Guardian's payments and Supplementary Welfare Allowance are not counted.
How many hours do I need to work for Working Family Payment?
You need to work at least 38 hours a fortnight. You can combine your hours with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant to reach that, which is what makes it achievable for a lot of part-time households.
Does Working Family Payment stop if I get a pay rise?
No. Once WFP is awarded, the rate is fixed for 52 weeks and does not fall if your earnings go up during that period. This is one of the reasons taking a job or extra hours is usually worth more than it first looks.
Is Working Family Payment taxable?
No. WFP is a tax-free weekly payment, so the full amount is money in your pocket.