Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 January 2024
152. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the percentage of claimants over each of the past five years of claimants who lose the working family payment due to the claimant moving from the one parent family payment to the jobseeker’s transitional payment when their youngest child reaches seven years of age. [3308/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraWorking 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.
Working Family Payment customers are eligible to receive One Parent Family Payment once they satisfy the qualifying conditions for both schemes. When One Parent Family ceases due to the qualified child reaching the age of 7, the rate of Working Family Payment is automatically increased to reflect this change in circumstances.
Working Family Payment is not compatible with any jobseeker schemes. Therefore, a customer may not claim Jobseekers Transitional Payment alongside WFP. The Department contacts customers and they can choose to remain on a higher rate of Working Family Payment or move onto Jobseekers Transitional Payment.
The number of claimants that cease their WFP claim and move to Jobseekers Transitional Payment is not readily available. The Department will investigate if a report to capture this information can be developed in the future.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
