Who can get the Additional Needs Payment?

Citizens Information explain who can get the Additional Needs Payment and how to go about it:

“The Additional Needs Payment is a payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income”, explained Ciara O'Gorman, Development Manager with South Munster Citizens Information Service.

She added: “You may get an Additional Needs Payment if you are getting a social welfare payment, or if you are working and on a low income, regardless of the number of hours that you work.

“You don’t need to be getting a social welfare payment and when you apply for the Additional Needs Payment, your income and circumstances will be assessed to find out if you qualify. The Additional Needs Payment includes the Exceptional Needs and Urgent Needs payments.”

What can I get the Additional Needs Payment for?

“You can get the Additional Needs Payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income. Some examples of this would be an increase in your fuel or electricity costs, perhaps essential repairs to your property, including motor vehicles, and replacing household appliances and furniture, funeral costs, deposits for private rented accommodation or bedding and cooking utensils, if you are setting up home for the first time.

“Other examples would be food, clothing and shelter after an emergency event such as a fire or flood, recurring travel costs to hospital for appointments, or for visiting a relative in hospital or prison or prams, buggies, cots, or essential child safety equipment. “This is not a complete list, other expenses can be covered too so it’s worth applying” Ciara said.

How to qualify for an Additional Needs Payment

To qualify for an Additional Needs Payment, you must live in Ireland, and have an income below the weekly household income limit.

Additional Needs Payment weekly household income limit 2024

Members of your household

Amount

Single person

€444

Couple with no children

€544

1 child

€645

2 children

€746

3 children

€847

4 children

€938

5 children

€1,064

6 children

€1,180

7 children

€1,316

8 children

€1,412

“When you apply for an Additional Needs Payment, your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO),” Ciara added.

“The CWO will look at your circumstances and decide if you qualify for the payment. Remember, in some cases, the CWO can provide a payment if your income is above the weekly household income limit, but it will depend on your exact circumstances. There is no set rate for an Additional Needs Payment and the amount you get will depend on your circumstances and what you need help with.”

How to apply

You can make a paper application or apply online. Your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO). You can apply online through MyWelfare.ie. You will need a verified MyGovID account. Alternatively, you can post your application for an Additional Needs Payment, or make an appointment with your local CWO, if you prefer.

If you can’t complete your application online, you can:

Download an application form for an Additional Needs Payment (SWA1)

Request an application by completing an online form

Get an application form from your local Citizens Information Centre, the Community Welfare Service, or your local Intreo or branch office.

You will need some of the following to apply:

PPS number for you and people in your family that are dependent on you

Proof of your identity

Proof of address

Proof of residency such as an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or EU/EEA passport or national ID card

Proof of income and financial situation

John Beausang and Yvonne Rayner, Cork City’s Citizens Information Managers, said: “Our telephone lines in Cork city are monitored from 10am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.

“ In addition, the Cork City Centre CIC in Cornmarket Street is open to the public Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, from 9.45am to 1pm and Wednesdays from 2pm to 4.30pm.

“The Blackpool CIC is open to the public each morning from 10am to 4pm, Tuesday and Thursday. Full details for all Citizens Information Centres and their opening times are available on our website.”