For up to 4 children, that's as much as €312 a week in the first year (our sum: 4 × €78). From January 2026 it's also open to people leaving Disability Allowance or Blind Pension for work.
Quick facts
- Year 1
- €58 per child under 12, €78 for 12+
- Year 2
- €29 and €39
- Children
- Up to 4
- Taxed
- No
- With WFP
- Yes, and not counted as means
- Start work within
- 4 weeks of leaving your payment
Who can get it — the full rules
You need at least one child and to be leaving one of these for work or self-employment:
- Jobseeker's Allowance or Benefit, after at least 12 months, 6 of them in the last year
- One-Parent Family Payment, including when it stops because your youngest reached the age limit while you work
- Jobseeker's Transitional payment
- Disability Allowance or Blind Pension, from January 2026
Time on Community Employment, Tús, the Rural Social Scheme or Back to Education Allowance counts towards the jobseeker time.
The rules
"To qualify for BTWFD, you and all members of your family (including your adult dependant) must sign off all primary social welfare payments." "If you are not already in insurable employment or self-employment, you must take up employment within 4 weeks of leaving your original payment or scheme."
The work must be in Ireland. "BTWFD is not paid with the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance ." You need to meet the habitual residence condition.
What you keep alongside it
"The Back to Work Family Dividend can be paid with Working Family Payment (WFP) and is not taken into account in the means test for WFP." It also runs with Child Benefit, Rent Supplement, the Back to School Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Maternity or Paternity Benefit.
When it stops
It stops if you or your partner claim a primary welfare payment in the 2 years. If you lose the job and find another, it can restart, up to 2 times. After 36 days on Illness Benefit it is suspended.
How to apply
Fill in form BTWFD1 and bring it to your Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. It's paid from the date you claim, so apply as soon as you start work. "Deciding officers can backdate BTWFD for up to 6 months from your claim if there was good cause for the delay."
Common questions
How much is the Back to Work Family Dividend in 2026?
€58 a week for each child under 12 and €78 for each child aged 12 and over in the first year, then €29 and €39 in the second year, for up to 4 children.
Can I get the Back to Work Family Dividend and Working Family Payment?
Yes. It can be paid with Working Family Payment and is not counted in the WFP means test.
Is the Back to Work Family Dividend taxable?
No, BTWFD is not taxable.
Can people on Disability Allowance get the Back to Work Family Dividend?
Yes, from January 2026, people getting Disability Allowance or Blind Pension are eligible when they take up employment.
How long do I have to find a job?
You must take up employment within 4 weeks of leaving your original payment or scheme.
- €312 — 4 children aged 12+ × €78 = €312 a week, the first-year maximum