FIS - Family Income Supplement
Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly tax-free payment for families, including one-parent families, at work on low pay. The Department of Social Protection administers this payment.
To be entitled to FIS you must:
- Be working for at least 19 hours a week or 38 hours every fortnight and not getting Jobseeker's Benefit or Allowance. Both partners' hours can be added together to make up the 19 hours.
- Expect to be employed for at least 3 months
- Have at least one qualified child i.e. a child under the age of 18, or aged 18-22 if in full-time education, who is normally living with you and being supported by you.
- Satisfy a means test. Your net income (after tax, PRSI and Health Contributions) will be compared to a specific rate considered a suitable wage for you family size.
FIS Means Test - what is counted as means
The means test to qualify for FIS will count all of your income (including rental income from property) and your partner's income. The following payments are not counted: Child Benefit, Carer's Allowance, Guardian's payments, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Foster Child Allowance, Rent Supplement, Mortgage Interest Supplement, income from employment as a HSE Home Help.
Other income that is not counted includeds: income from a charitable organisation (unless from employment), unearned income (for example interest on savings) and income from providing accommodation to students studying Irish in Gaeltacht areas under a scheme administered by the Minsiter for the Gaeltacht.
| Family Size | Department's Net Income Guidelines |
| One child | €506.00 |
| Two children | €602.00 |
| Three children | €703.00 |
| Four children | €824.00 |
| Five children | €950.00 |
| Six children | €1,066.00 |
| Seven children | €1,202.00 |
| Eight or more children | €1,298.00 |
FIS Means Test - How much you can get
If your net (after tax and deductions) wage is less than the set figure for your family size, you will recieve 60% of the difference. See the following example:
Working and claiming FIS
Conor and Niamh have 4 children. Conor is employed over 19 hours and earns €250 per week net. If Conor applies for a FIS payment based on his family size and net wages his new total household income is calculated as follows:
Set FIS rate for family of four children Less Conor's Income Income Difference Weekly FIS (60% of €574) Plus Conor's earnings
Total household income | €824.00 - €250.00 €574.00 €344.40 + €250.00
€594.40 |
FIS and your Partner claiming Jobseeker's payment
If your partner is claiming a Jobseeker's payment, but is not claiming for you as a Qualified Adult, you can claim FIS if you are worign and satisfy the normal qualification criteria. Any FIS payment recieved will not affect your partner's Jobseeker's payment.
Important points to remember
- FIS is not taxable
- Fis is paid for 52 weeks while you remain employed for at least 19 hours per week (or 38 hours per fortnight). This includes those on Job Inititaive schemes, the Community Services Programme (formerly the Social Economy Programme) and Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme.
- If your earnings increase you will still retain FIS for the rest of the year.
- A person who job shares and works at least 38 hours over a two-week period and fulfils all the other conditions can also apply for FIS.
- Where both spouses / partners are working, their hours can be added together to total 19 hours for the household to qualify for FIS.
- If you have another child the FIS payment is increased.
- The minimun FIS payment is €20 per week.
- You cannot claim FIS if you are self-employed or on Community Employment
- A the end of the 52 weeks you should re-apply for FIS if you think you are still eligible.
FIS and reduced working hours / Losing your job
If your pay from work is reduced your Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment will stay the same. It will not increase. However, when your FIS payment ends you can re-apply giving details of your new reduced income. FIS is usually paid for 52 weeks. At the end of the 52 weeks, you can re-apply for FIS. If the number of hours you work each weeks is reduced to below 19 hours hours (38 hours per fornight) you are no longer entitled to FIS. You should notify the FIS section if your hours fall below the minimum requirement. If you lose you job you are no longer entitled to FIS. You must notify the FIS section of the Department of Social Protection.
