What an Additional Needs Payment is
An Additional Needs Payment is a payment available to you if you have expenses that you cannot pay from your weekly income.
You may get this payment even if you are not getting a social welfare payment. It also may be available to you if you are working and on a low income.
We can provide Additional Needs Payments for:
- the increased cost of fuel and electricity
- essential repairs to property, including motor vehicles and replacing household appliances and furniture
- assistance with deposits for private rented accommodation
- furniture, bedding and other items if you are setting up a home for the first time
- funeral costs
- recurring travel expenses such as for hospital appointments or visiting relatives in hospital or prison
- food, clothing or shelter in the aftermath of a fire, flood or other emergency event
- other additional exceptional needs as they happen
Additional Needs Payments are paid under Supplementary Welfare Allowance and is administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the department.
How to qualify
Anyone on a social welfare payment or working and getting a low income may qualify for an Additional Needs Payment. We have to take your weekly household income, expenses and the type of assistance you need into account.
To get an Additional Needs Payment, your application will be reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer and they will look at your circumstances before deciding the payment you can get.
Rate of payment
There is no set ‘rate of payment’ for the Additional Needs Payment. The payment you get will depend on your weekly household income and the type of assistance you need.
Weekly household income*
| Members of your household | Amount |
| Single | €350 |
| Couple, no children | €450 |
| 1 child | €551 |
| 2 children | €652 |
| 3 children | €753 |
| 4 children | €844 |
| 5 children | €970 |
| 6 children | €1,086 |
| 7 children | €1,222 |
| 8 children or more | €1,318 |
* These income guidelines do not limit officers’ discretion when issuing Additional Needs Payments to assist individuals or households in unique hardship circumstances.
Apply
You can fill out the form below and send it to your local Community Welfare Service or you can get the form in your local office and fill it out there. There is no need to make an appointment. The application can be submitted by post.
Application Form: Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA1)
Claim Form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance/ Additional Needs Payment.
What you need to provide for us to help you with your claim
To help process your claim, you should have the following:
- Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSNs) for yourself, your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and your children
- proof of identity, for example: a Public Services Card (if you have one), a passport, driving license, work permit, Irish residence permit
- documents to show your income, expenses and financial situation, such as pay slips and bank statements
Contact
Additional Needs Payment
Examples of applications for the Additional Needs Payment
Ivan and Niamh apply for assistance to cover the cost of repairing the car.
They have 2 children. Ivan works 32 hours per week with household income of €630 per week. They have normal weekly outgoings of €610 per week for rent, utility bills, food, credit union loan, miscellaneous car expenses. Their car breaks down and they have received a quote of €1,200 (parts and labour) to repair it. The car is required for transport to and from work and taking children to and from school.
The couple have applied to the credit union for a top up loan which has been refused. The couple have €250 in savings and an outstanding loan of €2,100 with the credit union.
| Income and expenses | Amount |
| Household income | €630 per week |
| Household outgoings | €610 per week |
| Disposable income | €20 per week |
Decision: The Community Welfare Officer assists the couple with an Additional Needs Payment of €1,200.
Sean applies for assistance to cover the cost of repairing the boiler.
Sean is a single parent with 3 school going children who works 30 hours per week in a local Supermarket. He has household income of €700 per week. The family’s normal weekly outgoings are €650 per week for utility bills, loan repayments, food, miscellaneous car expenses and shopping.
The boiler in their house has broken down and they have been quoted €1,500 to replace the necessary parts and labour. Sean has savings of €250, which he intended to use for a refill of oil.
| Income and expenses | Amount |
| Household income | €700 per week |
| Household outgoings | €650 per week |
| Disposable income | €50 per week |
Decision: The Community Welfare Officer awards an Additional Needs Payment of €1,450.
Roman applies for assistance in meeting an increase in electricity bills.
Roman is a person with Multiple Sclerosis getting Disability Allowance and he is having difficulty meeting his electricity bills following recent unit cost increases. The monthly energy costs have risen by €40. He is unable to reduce the energy usage due to his medical condition and he does not have any disposable income to cover it.
| Income and expenses | Amount |
| Household income | €208 per week |
| Household outgoings | €208 per week |
| Disposable income | €0 per week |
Decision: In the circumstances, the Community Welfare Officer awards a Heating Supplement at €40 per month. In the event that the energy costs increase further, the Officer can increase the Heating Supplement payment to reflect same.
Siobhan applies for assistance to fill the oil tank at a cost of €700.
Siobhan is a single parent with 4 children and has noticed an increase in the cost of everyday items including food and utility bills. Their household income is €368 per week. Her weekly outgoings are €350 – €368 per week. Previously, she had managed to put some money aside (€20 per week) towards a fill of heating oil but this has not been possible for many weeks.
The oil tank is empty and she cannot afford to get it filled. One of her children has a condition that requires the house to be heated permanently.
| Income and expenses | Amount |
| Household income | €368 per week |
| Household outgoings | €368 per week |
| Disposable income | €0 per week |
Decision: The Community Welfare Officer awards an Additional Needs Payment of €700 to cover the cost of the oil refill. As the child’s medical condition requires the house to be heated permanently, the Officer also provides Siobhan with heat supplement of €30 per week to assist in meeting the ongoing cost associated with it.