Working Family Payment (WFP) is an in-work payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, the applicant or the applicant and their spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. This condition must be satisfied on an ongoing basis. Once awarded, WFP is payable for 52 weeks. At the end of the 52 week period the customer must reapply.
If a WFP customer is temporarily laid off due to the Covid pandemic and is awarded PUP the WFP will continue along with PUP until the end of the 52 week award period.
If a WFP customer is temporarily laid off due to Covid at the time of reapplication, then they can still have their WFP claim assessed and awarded while continuing to receive PUP.
However if a customer has ceased employment permanently at the time of reapplication then they would not have an entitlement to have their WFP renewed. In such cases, they may continue to receive the PUP, or may be entitled to another income support payment from the Department.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
