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Working Family Payment Calculator (Ireland)

Free tool · Ireland•Free · no sign-up•Updated 12 October 2026

PZak Carolan · The People's Pocket8 figures verified against gov.ie on 3 September 2026 · free, no sign-up

If you're working but money is tight, the Working Family Payment is a weekly, tax-free top-up worth having — and thousands of eligible families never claim it. This free tool estimates what you could get using the 2026 income limits, in about 30 seconds. Nothing is sent.

Estimate your Working Family Payment

A weekly, tax-free top-up for working parents. Enter your pay before tax and we work out the rest, the way the Department does. About a minute, and nothing that identifies you is kept.

How many children do you have? Under 18, or 18 to 22 in full-time education, who normally live with you.

Your gross pay from your job (€ a week, before tax) Monthly pay × 12 ÷ 52. Leave at 0 if only your partner works.

Hours a week you work as an employee

Do you have a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant?

Pension contributions from pay, if any (€ a week, both of you)

Other weekly income the Department counts (€), if any For example Disability Allowance. Child Benefit, Fuel Allowance and Domiciliary Care Allowance are not counted.

Does anyone in the family get Jobseeker's, Farm Assist, or work on CE, Tús or the Rural Social Scheme?

An estimate on today's rates. Working Family Payment is 60% of the gap between your family income after tax, PRSI, USC and pension and the limit for your family size, with a minimum of €20 a week. Once awarded it is fixed for 52 weeks.

How it's worked out

The Working Family Payment (WFP) tops up low-paid working families. The Department compares your weekly family income to an income limit based on how many children you have, and pays you 60% of the difference — with a guaranteed minimum of €20 a week if you qualify.

Weekly income limits from January 2026: 1 child €765 · 2 children €866 · 3 children €967 · 4 children €1,058 · 5 children €1,184 · 6 children €1,300 · 7 children €1,436 · 8+ children €1,532. Earn under the limit for your family size and you're likely due WFP.

Who can claim

You're an employee working at least 38 hours a fortnight (about 19 a week). You can combine both partners' hours; self-employment doesn't count.
You have at least one child under 18 (or 18–22 in full-time education) living with you.
Your family income is below the limit for your family size (see above).

The 52-week guarantee

Once WFP is awarded, it's fixed for 52 weeks — even if your pay goes up or (in most cases) your hours change. That stability is part of what makes it worth claiming. It also acts as a gateway: WFP recipients can get the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and, from 2026, the Fuel Allowance.

Common questions

How much is the Working Family Payment?

It's 60% of the difference between your weekly family income and the income limit for your family size, with a minimum of €20 a week. So a family well below the limit can receive a substantial weekly top-up.

What are the income limits for 2026?

From January 2026: €765 (1 child), €866 (2), €967 (3), €1,058 (4), €1,184 (5), €1,300 (6), €1,436 (7) and €1,532 (8 or more children) in weekly family income.

Can I get WFP if I'm self-employed?

No — WFP is only for employees. You need to be working at least 38 hours a fortnight as an employee, though you can combine your hours with a partner's.

Will WFP drop if I get a pay rise?

No. Once awarded, your WFP rate is fixed for 52 weeks, even if your earnings rise during that time. You'd reassess at renewal.

Check the official sources

This is a free estimate to help you decide whether to make a claim — not an offer or a guarantee, and not financial advice. Rules, rates and thresholds change. Always confirm your exact entitlement with the official source before acting.

See what else your family is owed

Working Family Payment often comes with other supports. Our free checker lists the payments, credits and grants you may be entitled to — in about a minute.

Check everything you're owed →