Additional Needs Payment

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.

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.

To qualify for an Additional Needs Payment, you must:

• Live in Ireland, and
• Have an income below the 'weekly household income' limit – see below

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

The CWO will take into account your weekly household income, your savings and investments, your household expenses and the type of assistance you need.

They will look at your circumstances and decide if you qualify for the payment.

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 circumstances.

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 limit 2024

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.

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.

Online application

You can apply online through MyWelfare.ie. You will need a verified MyGovID account.

Paper Application

You can post your application for an Additional Needs Payment, or make an appointment with your local CWO, if you prefer.

If you post your application, the CWO may issue a payment or arrange an appointment to meet with you.

How to get an ANP application form

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

• Download an application form for an Additional Needs Payment (SWA1) (pdf)
• Request an application by completing an online form
• Get an application form from your local Community Welfare Service, or your local Intreo or branch office

If you are applying for help with funeral costs, you will need to fill in both the ANP form (SWA1) and the application form for help with funeral costs (SWA5) (pdf).

What you need to provide when you apply

You will need some of the following to apply:

• PPS number for you and people in your family that are dependent on you such as your partner or children
• Proof of your identity such as Public Services Card, Driving Licence or Passport
• Proof of address such as a household bill
• Proof of residency such as an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) or EU/EEA passport or national ID card
• Proof of income and financial situation such as payslips and bank statements

You can read more about the Additional Needs Payment on gov.ie.

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.