Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
660. Deputy Richard Bruton asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline how the working family payment is estimated in the case of a single parent who works and is in receipt of the one parent family allowance; and if she will provide some worked examples. [40718/23]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work support which provides an income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them. When awarded, WFP is payable for 52 weeks once the conditions of the scheme are met.
WFP entitlement is calculated on a customer’s average weekly household income. This includes certain assessable social welfare payments. One Parent Family Payment is assessable income for WFP purposes. A customer’s rate of WFP is based on the difference between their weekly income, and the prescribed income limit set out in legislation for a family of their size with qualified children. WFP is then paid at 60% of this difference.
If entitlement to One Parent Family Payment ceases due to a child reaching the age of 7, the rate of WFP is automatically adjusted to reflect this change in household income.
Please see examples below:
Income limits based on rates effective from 5th January 2023.
Example of WFP assessment where One Parent Family is in payment.
|
Assessable income from Employment |
€243.10 |
|
One Parent Family Payment |
€121.00 |
|
Weekly Income |
€364.10 |
|
Income limit (2 children) |
€692.00 |
|
Difference |
€327.90 |
|
WFP (60%) |
€196.74 |
|
WFP Payable (rounded) |
€197.00 |
In this example, total household income (Wages+OFP+WFP) is €561.10 per week.
Example of WFP assessment where One Parent Family is not in payment:
|
Assessable income from Employment |
€243.10 |
|
Weekly Income |
€243.10 |
|
Income limit (2 children) |
€692.00 |
|
Difference |
€448.90 |
|
WFP (60%) |
€269.34 |
|
WFP Payable (rounded) |
€270.00 |
In this example, total household income (Wages+WFP) is €513.10 per week.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
