Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 October 2018
640. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the way in which, and when, existing recipients of the working family payment will be affected by the changes announced to the scheme in budget 2019; if existing recipients will need to reapply or be reassessed to establish if they will benefit from the changes; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43510/18]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly tax-free payment which provides additional income support to employees on low earnings with children. WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid workers with qualified children and to offer a financial incentive to take up employment.
In line with Budget 2019 provisions, WFP recipients will benefit from a new maintenance disregard. This disregard will amount to €95.00 per week in respect of housing costs, with the remainder to be assessed at 50%. This new measure will be implemented with effect from 28 March 2019.
The Department will identify all relevant customers currently receiving WFP and reassess their entitlement with effect from 28 March 2019. It will not be necessary for existing customers to contact the Department and request a review.
Similarly, all new applications for WFP will have their entitlement from 28 March 2019 calculated in accordance with the provisions announced in the recent Budget.
The level of WFP will continue to be based on 60% of the shortfall between net weekly family income and the relevant weekly family threshold.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
