What it is

Working Family Payment, often shortened to WFP, is a Department of Social Protection payment connected with employment and children. Gov.ie and MyWelfare describe it as a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children.

This page gives general information about the 2026 income limits. It is not a calculator, and it does not decide eligibility. The Department of Social Protection assesses working hours, family income, family size and other scheme conditions under the official rules.

Plain-English summary

TopicGeneral information
Payment typeA weekly tax-free payment described by official sources as being for employees with children.
Income limitsThe limit depends on the number of children in the family.
Working hoursOfficial guidance says working-hours rules apply. MyWelfare refers to 38 hours or more per fortnight in paid employment.
AssessmentFamily income is assessed against the relevant income limit for the family size.
Not a calculatorThe table below is general information only. The Department decides the assessable income and any payment amount.

2026 income limits

Gov.ie, MyWelfare and Citizens Information list Working Family Payment income limits for 2026. The figures below are the weekly and annual limits shown by official sources from 1 January 2026.

Working Family Payment income limits listed by official sources from 1 January 2026.
Number of childrenWeekly income limitAnnual income limit
1 child€765€39,780
2 children€866€45,032
3 children€967€50,284
4 children€1,058€55,016
5 children€1,184€61,568
6 children€1,300€67,600
7 children€1,436€74,672
8 children or more€1,532€79,664

The official source remains the place to check current figures, because rates and limits can change.

How the limits work

Official guidance says the payment is based on the difference between weekly family income and the income limit for the family size. Gov.ie describes Working Family Payment as generally calculated at 60% of that difference, subject to the scheme rules.

Family income for this purpose is not simply the same as take-home pay. The Department of Social Protection decides what income is counted under the Working Family Payment rules. For a general explanation of assessment language, see Means Testing Explained.

Working-hours rules

Working Family Payment is linked to paid employment. MyWelfare says a person must work 38 hours or more per fortnight in paid employment, and official guidance explains how hours can be assessed. The payment is described by official sources as being for employees with children, rather than for self-employment alone.

Why this page is not a calculator

The income-limit table is only one part of the assessment. Working hours, family income, family size, employment status and other scheme rules can affect the Department's decision. A simple table cannot confirm whether a person qualifies or calculate an exact payment amount.

What this means in real life

In practical terms, the income limit is the reference point used in the Working Family Payment assessment. A family with more children has a higher income limit than a family with fewer children. The Department then looks at the relevant family income under the scheme rules and compares it with the limit for that family size. This means the same weekly pay figure can be treated differently depending on the number of children and the official assessment of income. The table is useful for understanding the structure of the scheme, but it does not replace the Department's calculation. Working Family Payment also sits alongside other official supports, so a broader page such as Cost of Living Supports in Ireland may help when comparing terms used across different supports.

Common misunderstandings

Official tables list different income limits according to the number of children.
The table only shows income limits. Eligibility depends on the Department of Social Protection's assessment of the full scheme rules.
Official guidance says working-hours rules apply as part of the Working Family Payment assessment.

Where to check officially

Eligibility and rates can depend on family circumstances and Department of Social Protection assessment. The official sources below are the places to check current rules and figures.