Working for Work : Chapter 4 : Welfare to Work

Family Income Supplement (FIS)

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Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly tax-free payment for families, including one-parent families, at work on low pay. The Department of Social Protection administers this payment.

To be entitled to FIS you must:

  • Be working for at least 19 hours a week or 38 hours every fortnight and not getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance. Both partners' hours can be added together to make up the 19 hours.
  • Expect to be employed for at least three months.
  • Have at least one qualified child i.e. a child under the age of 18 or aged 18-22 if in full-time education, who is normally living with you and being supported by you.
  • Satisfy a means test. Your net income (after tax, PRSI, Universal Social Charge (USC) and Superannuation Contributions to PRSA(s), and Public Service Levy) will be compared to a specific rate considered a suitable wage for your family size.

FIS Means Test - what is counted as means

The means test to qualify for FIS will count all of your income (including rental income from property) and your partner's income. The following payments are not counted:

Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, Guardian's payments, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Domiciliary Care allowance, Foster Child Allowance, Rent Supplement, Mortgage Interest Supplement, income from employment as a HSE Home Help.

Other income that is not counted includes: income from a charitable organisation (unless from employment), unearned income (for example interest on savings) and income from providing accommodation to students studying Irish in Gaeltacht areas under a scheme administered by the Minister for the Gaeltacht.

 

Family Size Department's Net Income Guidelines

One child €506

Two children €602

Three children €703

Four children €824

Five children €950

Six children €1,066

Seven children €1,202

Eight or more children €1,298

 

FIS Means Test - How much you can get?

If your net (after tax and deductions) wage is less than the set figure for your family size, you will receive 60% of the difference. See the following example.

 

Working and claiming FIS Conor and Niamh have 4 children. Conor is employed over 19 hours and earns €250 per week net. If Conor applies for a FIS payment based on his family size and net wages his new total household income is calculated as follows Set FIS rate for family of four children €824.00 Less Conor's Income - €250.00 Income Difference €574.00 Weekly FIS (60% of €574) €344.40 Plus Conor's earnings + €250.00 Total household income €594.40

FIS and your Partner claiming Jobseeker's payment

If your partner is claiming a Jobseeker's payment, but is not claiming for you as a Qualified Adult, you can claim FIS if you are working and satisfy the normal qualification criteria. Any FIS payment received will not affect your partners Jobseeker's payment.

Important points to remember

  • FIS is not taxable.
  • FIS is paid for 52 weeks while you remain employed for at least 19 hours per week (or 38 hours per fortnight). This includes those on the Job Initiative scheme, the Community Services Programme (formerly the Social Economy Programme) and Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme.
  • If your earnings increase you will still retain FIS for the rest of the year.
  • A person who job shares and works at least 38 hours over a two-week period and fulfils all the other conditions can also apply for FIS.
  • Where both spouses/partners are working, their hours can be added together to total 19 hours for the household to qualify for FIS. Hours from self employment are not included.
  • The spouse/civil partner/cohabitant with the greatest income is the spouse who makes the application for FIS
  • If you have another child the FIS payment will be increased.
  • The minimum FIS payment is €20 per week
  • You cannot claim FIS if you are self-employed or on Community Employment (CE) Scheme. -
  • At the end of the 52 weeks you should re-apply for FIS if you think you are still eligible. Always check - you may be losing out on a payment you are entitled to.

FIS and Reduced Working hours/Losing your Job

If your pay from work is reduced your Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment will stay the same. It will not increase. However, when your FIS payment ends you can re-apply giving details of your new reduced income. (FIS is usually paid for 52 weeks. At the end of the 52 weeks, you can re-apply for FIS).

If the number of hours you work each week is reduced to below 19 hours (38 hour per fortnight) you are no longer entitled to FIS. You should notify the FIS section if your hours fall below the minimum requirement.

If you lose your job you are no longer entitled to FIS. You must notify the FIS section.

Last Updated: 31/08/2011 ^ back to top