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
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.
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.