Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
1093. Deputy Jackie Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person with four young children who is returning to full-time education who is currently in receipt of jobseeker's will be eligible for the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39072/21]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an income tested, in work, family payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings, with children, relative to their family size. WFP is designed to prevent in-work poverty for low paid employees with child dependents and to offer a financial incentive to pursue employment.
In order to satisfy the qualifying and continued entitlement condition for receipt of WFP, an applicant or the applicant and their spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in full-time remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. The employment must be expected to last for at least 3 months. This employment condition must be met on an ongoing basis.
Additionally, WFP is not payable where a customer is in receipt of a Jobseekers payment or Back to Education Allowance (BTEA).
The person concerned can obtain further information on the Department's Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) scheme from the Gov.ie website or by contacting their local Intreo office. Jobseeker's Allowance and Jobseeker's Benefit are qualifying payments for receipt of BTEA.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
