Case study 1: Family Income Supplement (FIS)

This is an example showing how income is assessed for Family Income Supplement in 2012.

Case study

Mary has three children, two of whom attend secondary school. Her youngest child is five years old. She is getting a One-Parent Family Payment and was recently offered work part-time. If she take the job, she will work three days each week and earn €300. Mary wants to take the job as all of her children are now in school but she knows her One-Parent Family Payment will be affected.

Would Mary be better off financially if she takes the job offer? She has lived in her home for 20 years and has a comparatively small mortgage. She gets a weekly maintenance payment of €80 for her mortgage costs which does not affect her One-Parent Family Payment. Her oldest daughter has a part-time job in a local shop.

Weekly net income from employment (See note 1) €300.00

Add Weekly net income from self-employment €0.00

Add Social welfare payments (See note 2) €207.40

Add Income from occupational pensions €0.00

Add Maintenance received €80.00

Total income €587.40

The Family Income Supplement (FIS) maximum income limit for a family with three children is €703. The difference between €703 and €587.40 is €115.60. 60% of the difference €115.60 is €69.36.

Mary will get a FIS payment of €69.36 each week.

Her current income is €357.40.

If she takes the job her total income including FIS will be €656.76

Note 1

Mary’s net income from employment is assessed for FIS, however her daughter’s income is not assessed because she is under 22 years of age and in full-time education.

Note 2

If Mary gets €300 from employment, her One-Parent Family Payment will be reduced to €118. She will also get €29.80 for each child.
More information is available about how income from employment affects on your One-Parent Family Payment.