Additional Needs Payment

The Additional Needs Payment is a payment to help you with an expense that you cannot pay from your weekly income.

You may get an Additional Needs Payment, if you are working and on a low income, or 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. For example:

• An increase in your fuel or electricity costs
• Essential repairs to property, including motor vehicles and 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
• Visiting a relative in hospital or prison

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

When you apply for an Additional Needs Payment your application will be assessed by a Community Welfare Officer (CWO).

The CWO 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.

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.

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has some examples of how the CWO assess applications for an Additional Needs Payment and the amount they will pay.

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).

Online application

You can apply online through MyWelfare.ie. To apply online, 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

You can download and fill-in the application form for an Additional Needs Payment (SWA1) and send it to your local Community Welfare Service. If you are applying for help with funeral costs you will need to fill in SWA1 and SWA5 for help with funeral costs.

You can also get application forms at your local Community Welfare Service and fill it in there.

You can also request application forms by completing an online form.

For general information about the Community Welfare Service and application forms phone: 0818 60 70 80

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

For general information about the Community Welfare Service phone: 0818 60 70 80