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Working Family Payment vs pay rise, does it cancel itself out?

  • 02-01-2026 12:24PM
    #1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 137 ✭✭


    I’ve been working with the same company for the past 16 months and I’m currently on the lowest point of the pay scale (€14.55 to €16.55 per hour). I started on €14.55 and was told after my 6 month probation that my hourly rate would be reviewed, this never happened. After a further 6 months, I was again told it would be looked at, but there was no change.

    I asked again before Christmas and was told they would have a look at it and that I should remind them in January, as they are “very happy with my performance”. My feedback has consistently been positive and I get on well in the role and have all my qualifications to do the role.

    In the meantime, I was approved for Working Family Payment, which actually brings my overall weekly income to above the company’s top rate of pay. Because of this, any increase of €1–€2 per hour would largely be offset by a reduction in my Working Family Payment, meaning there would be little or no real financial benefit in asking for a pay rise for a fourth time.

    On top of that, eligibility for Working Family Payment now also qualifies me for the Fuel Allowance this year, which makes it seem that remaining on €14.55 may actually work out better over the course of the year.

    My question is whether there is any real point in going back to my manager yet again to request a pay review for a fourth time, particularly given that previous assurances have not resulted in any change. It also appears that moving to the top rate of €16.55 would largely cancel out my Working Family Payment and Fuel Allowance which kicks in this year for those on WFP, potentially leaving me worse off overall across the year.



Comments

  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,155 ✭✭✭✭salmocab


    can’t speak for the technicalities but I would be of the opinion that you should get as much from your employer as you can.
    any future increases are based on your current pay so any % is better to be of a higher amount.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 137 ✭✭Quay_Koncept


    That’s a fair point Salmocab, and I do understand the argument about future increases being based on current pay. I dont plan to stay in this job long term thou, another 24 months max. My hesitation is that, in the short to medium term, any increase seems to be fully offset by a reduction in Working Family Payment (and now Fuel Allowance), so there’s no real financial gain at present. The fuel allowance itself is worth over Euro 1000 per season.



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 5,922 ✭✭✭SCOOP 64


    Sounds to me it makes sense to keep the WFP as it is, as you said the fuel allowance is now part of it, also are you entitled to full medical card with WFP, back to school allowance etc.…



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 137 ✭✭Quay_Koncept


    Yeah my rough calculations show that all considered even if i was bumped to their top rate of pay I would actually be at a net lose strangley enough! Strange system kind counter intuitive but Im not complaining !



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 3,680 ✭✭✭gipi


    Your WFP payment doesn't change for 12 months from date of award, even if your wages increase during that time.

    Your wage changes will be considered when you renew your WFP application, and the rules or limits might change by then.



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