Thousands across Ireland could be in line for social welfare payment worth up to €1,500

Thousands of people across Ireland could be in line for a social welfare payment worth over €1,500.

The Additional Needs Payment is a payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources (for example savings).

You may get an Additional Needs Payment if you are:

Getting a social welfare payment, or
Working and on a low income, regardless of the number of hours that you work
You may get this payment even if you are not getting a social welfare payment.

When you apply for the 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 or other sources (for example savings).

For example:

An increase in your fuel or electricity costs
Essential repairs to property, including, replacing household appliances and furniture
Funeral costs
Deposits for private rented accommodation
Bedding and cooking utensils, if you are setting up home for the first time
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
Prams, buggies, cots, or essential child safety equipment
This is not a complete list, other expenses can be covered too.

How to qualify for an Additional Needs Payment

To qualify for an Additional Needs Payment, you must:

Live in Ireland, and
Have a weekly income below a set amount – see the ‘weekly household income guidelines’ below

How your weekly income is calculated for the Additional Needs Payment is the same as how your income is assessed for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. This is because the Additional Needs Payment is part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.

Your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).

The CWO will decide if you qualify for a payment after looking at all your circumstances including your income, savings and investments, your expenses and the type of assistance you need.

In some cases, the CWO can provide a payment if your income is above the weekly household income guidelines, but it will depend on your circumstances.

Weekly household income guidelines 2026

When calculating your household income, the CWO will take into account your weekly household income, including your savings and investments, and your household expenses.

Additional Needs Payment weekly household income guidelines 2026

Single person – €564
Couple with no children – €664
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

How much is an Additional Needs Payment?

There is no set rate for an Additional Needs Payment.

The amount you get will depend on your circumstances and what you need help with.

How to apply for an Additional Needs Payment

You can make a paper application or apply online.

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

You will need to provide information about your weekly household income, expenses, savings and investments and those of everyone living in your household. You will also need to provide proof of the type of assistance you need.

You can apply online through MyWelfare.ie. You will need a verified MyGovID account or you can post your application for an Additional Needs Payment, or make an appointment with your local CWO, if you prefer.

You can read more about the Additional Needs Payment on Citizens Information.

You can also get information about the payment at your local Community Welfare Service, or you can call the National Phone Line for Community Welfare Services on 0818 607080.

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