Paid to
Your employer — you get your normal wages
The Wage Subsidy Scheme is not a payment to you and you will never see it in your account. It goes to your employer, to cover the cost where a disability means a role has to be significantly adapted. Knowing it exists is what matters: it is an argument you can put to an employer who is hesitating.
Quick facts
- Paid to
- Your employer — you get your normal wages
- Rate
- €7.50/hour rising to €10 for larger employers
- Maximum
- €15,210 a year, based on a 39-hour week
- Reviewed
- Annually by the Department
How it works
The subsidy is paid to the employer, and the employer pays you your normal wages. It exists for the situation where a disability or health condition means a job’s tasks or role need to be significantly adapted.
The Department’s own example: a factory job expects 100 boxes packed a day; an employee with a disability packs 60. The subsidy covers the employer for the remaining 40.
The rates since April 2026
- 1 to 6 employees with a disability — €7.50 per hour, per employee
- 7 to 16 — €8.50 per hour, per employee
- 17+ — €10.00 per hour, per employee
The maximum annual subsidy to the employer is €15,210, based on a 39-hour week. The Department completes an annual review and can carry out monitoring.
How to apply for the Wage Subsidy Scheme
The subsidy is paid to your employer, who then pays you your normal wages.
Have these ready:
- If you are not on a disability payment: a recent specialist's report or doctor's letter
- A confidential medical report form filled in by your doctor
Register with an Employment Services Officer
Fill in the employee application form (WSS1EE). Meet a DSP Employment Services Officer, who registers you on the DSP system as someone with a disability.
Check if you need a medical report
On some disability payments you can qualify without a medical assessment, so check yours first.
Your employer sends in their forms
Your employer sends the completed forms to their local Intreo Office or to the Employment Services Officer.
Tell your payment section you are starting work
If you get Disability Allowance or Blind Pension, tell that section of the DSP you are starting work.
Ask how your other payments change
Tell the DSP you have started work on the scheme and ask how your payments will be affected.
Phone, forms and how long it takes
- You (the employee) fill in
- employee application form (WSS1EE)
- If you are not on a qualifying disability payment: your doctor fills in
- Wage Subsidy Scheme Medical and Functional Capacity Report form
- Your employer fills in
- employer application form (WSS1ER)
- Your employer also fills in
- Work Adaptation report form (WSS2)
- Employers with 25 or more on the scheme (Strand 3 grant)
- application for Strand 3 Grant form (WSS 4)
From the official pages (citizensinformation.ie), re-checked every night. Numbers and times can change, so check the official page before you send anything.
Common questions
Who gets the Wage Subsidy Scheme money?
How much is it?
Is there a maximum?
Why does it matter to me if I do not get the money?
Check the official sources
This guide is general information, not financial advice. Rules, rates and eligibility change and differ by country — always confirm the current details with the relevant official body before you act.
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