Cost of living supports
Supports to help you manage your money
This section covers a range of supports available to help households manage day‑to‑day living costs, such as utility bills, childcare and education costs.
Families with children
Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance
The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance once-off payment to help families with the extra costs of clothing and footwear when children start school each year. The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance scheme is open from 1 June to 30 September each year. This payment is means-tested, for more information on eligibility criteria and rates of payment visit Gov.ie.
Working Family Payment
The Working Family Payment (WFP), previously called Family Income Supplement (FIS), is a weekly tax-free payment for employees with children and an income below a certain level. For more information on eligibility criteria and rates of payments, visit Gov.ie.
Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE)
The Early Childhood Care and Education Scheme (ECCE) scheme provides your child with 2 years of free pre-school care and education for a set number of hours and weeks. For details on the rules and how to apply, visit Early Childhood Ireland or Gov.ie.
National Childcare Scheme
The National Childcare Scheme provides financial support to help families with their early learning and childcare costs for children aged between 24 weeks and 15 years of age. For more information and how to apply, visit the National Childcare Scheme website.
Under 8s GP Visit Card
If your child is under the age of 8, they qualify for a GP visit card. With the GP visit card, your child can visit a participating GP for free.
If your child has a medical card you do not need to register them for a GP visit card. However, if your family circumstances change and you are no longer eligible for a medical card, you can then register your child for a GP visit card if they are under 8.
For more information visit HSE.ie.
People in retirement
Household Benefits Package
The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps with the cost of your electricity or gas bills for people over the age of 70. If you are under 70 years of age you may still qualify if you are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. For more information visit Gov.ie.
Fuel Allowance
Fuel Allowance is a payment to people over the age of 66 to help with the cost of heating their home during the winter months. If you are under the age of 66 you may still qualify if you are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. This payment is means-tested. For more information on eligibility and rates of payments visit Gov.ie.
Energy / Utilities
Warmer Homes Scheme
The Warmer Homes Scheme provides free home energy upgrades, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), to homeowners who get certain social welfare payments. These upgrades aim to improve the energy efficiency and warmth of your home. For more information on eligibility criteria and the upgrades covered under the scheme visit SEAI.ie.
Individual Energy Grants
The Better Energy Homes and the National Home Energy Upgrade schemes offer individual grants, through the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI), for home upgrades that make your property more energy efficient.
The Better Energy Homes Scheme applies to you if you are planning on managing the work yourself, i.e. you will apply for the grant and hire a contractor to carry out the work.
The National Home Energy Upgrade Scheme applies to you if you plan on using the SEAI's 'One Stop Shop' process to manage it for you.
For more information on these schemes visit SEAI.ie.
Housing and health
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP)
The Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) is a social housing support, provided by your local authority, for people who have a long-term housing need. You pay a weekly HAP rent contribution to your local authority, based on your income and ability to pay. Your local authority pays your total cost of rent directly to your landlord. For more information on eligibility and rates of payments visit HAP.ie.
Medical Card Scheme
If you have a medical card, you can get certain health services free of charge. The Medical Card scheme is means-tested, to qualify your weekly income must be below a certain figure for your family size. For more information on eligibility criteria visit HSE.ie.
GP Visit Card
If you do not qualify for a medical card, you may be eligible for a GP visit card. A GP visit card gives you free visits to a GP. For more information on eligibility criteria visit HSE.ie.
Drugs Payment Scheme (DPS)
If you do not hold a medical card you can apply for a Drugs Payment Scheme card. Having a DPS card means you or your family will pay a maximum of €80 in a calendar month for:
- approved prescribed drugs and medicines
- rental costs for a continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) machine
- rental costs for oxygen
This scheme is not means-tested. For more information on how to apply visit HSE.ie.
Education
Student Grant Scheme (SUSI)
- Maintenance grants - a payment to help students with their living costs and is paid directly to the student’s bank account
- Fee grants - pays tuition fees for students who do not qualify for the Free Fees Scheme. Fee grants can also cover the cost of student contributions
For more information visit SUSI.ie.
Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
The Back to Education Allowance is a payment provided to qualifying persons who wish to attend a Further Education or Higher Education course. For more information on eligibility criteria and rules visit Gov.ie.
Student Assistance Fund
Managed by The Higher Education Authority the Student Assistance Fund provides financial support to full or part-time students who are experiencing financial difficulties while attending college. Students can apply for the Student Assistance Fund to help with either temporary or ongoing financial difficulties. For more information on the costs covered and eligibility criteria visit HEA.ie.
