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Additional Needs Payment

There is no set rate. What you get depends on your weekly household income, your expenses and the type of help you need.

Last checked October 2026

What it is

One-off help with an essential cost you can't meet: funeral costs, a rent deposit, essential repairs, replacing household appliances and furniture, items for setting up a home for the first time such as furniture and bedding, heating or ESB bills and travel to hospital appointments. You do not have to be on a social welfare payment to get it. gov.ie is explicit that it may be available if you are working and on a low income, regardless of the number of hours you work, so part time and low paid workers are in scope. Apply through your local Community Welfare Service, or your Intreo centre or branch office, on form SWA1. A claim for funeral costs needs the SWA5 form as well as the SWA1.

Who can get it

You live in Ireland and have an essential expense you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources such as savings
You may be on a social welfare payment or working on a low income. The department says you may get it even if you are not on a payment, but its staff guidelines say people getting a payment are the normal applicants
A Community Welfare Officer looks at your weekly household income, savings and investments, household expenses and the type of help you need
It does not cover non-essential household or personal costs or costs that are the responsibility of another government department or agency

Good to know

It can help with the increased cost of heating and electricity, essential repairs and replacing household appliances and furniture, deposits for private rented accommodation, items for setting up a home for the first time, funeral costs, recurring travel such as hospital appointments, child items such as cots and prams and immediate needs after an emergency such as a house fire
There is no set rate and nobody gets it automatically. Payments are discretionary. The officer considers your circumstances and any other State supports you may already get
If your savings or other resources are enough to meet the need, you are expected to use them first
The department says it may be available if you are working on a low income, regardless of the number of hours you work. Its staff guidelines say people in full-time work or full-time education are normally not eligible, so each case is decided on its circumstances. Under the general Supplementary Welfare Allowance rules, working under 30 hours a week does not count as full-time work
Funeral and emergency costs cannot be claimed on MyWelfare. Ask at your local Intreo Centre for the form or use the online request form on gov.ie. If you are awarded a payment you may be asked for receipts showing how it was used

How to apply

The quickest way is MyWelfare.ie with a verified MyGovID account. If you cannot apply online, collect form SWA1 at any Intreo Centre or branch office with no appointment, download it or ask for one to be posted through the online form on gov.ie. Funeral and emergency costs cannot be claimed on MyWelfare, so ask at your local Intreo Centre for a form.

Go to the official page →

Checked against the official source on 7 October 2026. Always confirm the details on the official page before applying.

Questions people ask

What is the Additional Needs Payment?

A Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment for essential expenses you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources such as savings. It is run by the Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection.

Can I get it if I am working?

You may. The department says it may be available if you are working on a low income, regardless of the number of hours you work. Its staff guidelines say people in full-time work are normally not eligible, so the officer looks at your household circumstances. Under the general Supplementary Welfare Allowance rules, working under 30 hours a week does not count as full-time work.

How much can I get?

There is no set rate. The amount depends on your weekly household income, your household expenses and the type of help you need.

What will I need to apply?

PPS numbers for you, your partner and your children, proof of identity and documents showing your income, expenses and financial situation, such as payslips and bank statements.

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