Income supports for those arriving from Ukraine under the EU Temporary Protection Directive

The European Union has put in place a temporary protection directive to allow Ukrainian citizens and others fleeing Ukraine to move through the EU as EU citizens.

If you are a Ukrainian citizen or if you are fleeing Ukraine and are covered by the directive, the Government of Ireland will provide support and services to assist you as you establish yourself in Ireland.

You can find information below on what income supports you can get while you are in Ireland and how to get these supports and services.

We are here to help and support you during your time here.

In March 2024, the government announced changes to the supports to those fleeing the war in Ukraine. Under the revised approach, newly arriving Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) from Ukraine who seek State accommodation are accommodated in Designated Accommodation Centres for a maximum of 90 days during which time they also receive reduced income support payments.

From 9 September 2024, Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection who live in a Designated Accommodation Centre where meals and utilities are provided no longer qualify for certain social assistance payments. These include:

-Jobseeker's Allowance

- State Pension (Non-contributory)

-One-Parent Family Payment

-Blind Pension

-Carer's Allowance

-Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (other than Additional Needs Payments)

-Disability Allowance

-Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension

-Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension

-Guardian's Payment

-Domiciliary Care Allowance

• any Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Payment (BOTPs) living in a Designated Accommodation Centre (DAC) will be entitled to a net weekly payment of €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child subject to an income test
• if you are affected by this, you will get a letter from the department telling you about changes to your payment
• BOTPs resident in newly Designated Accommodation Centres will receive their first reduced payment on Thursday 12 September
• you will still be entitled to Working Family Payment (WFP) and Child Benefit
• you can also apply for an Additional Needs Payment

When a Beneficiary of Temporary Protection leaves a Designated Accommodation Centres or makes their own accommodation arrangements on arrival, they will be entitled to apply for standard social protection assistance, subject to meeting the standard eligibility conditions.

Read the full press release here

To get government public services you will need a Personal Public Services (PPS) Number.

Your PPS Number is a unique reference number that helps you access income supports and public services in Ireland.

All adults and children will need their own PPS Number.

A PPS Number is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters.

Special arrangements have been made for Ukrainians arriving in Ireland so you do not need to apply for a PPS Number online

Most Ukrainians arriving in Ireland come through Dublin Airport. If you arrive at Dublin Airport you will be brought to the Citywest Convention Centre located at Garters Lane, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 A38Y. You will be able to apply for your PPS Number here.

If you did not arrive through Dublin airport or you are already in Ireland, and have not applied for a PPS Number you can call into your local office. Here our staff will help you to get a PPS Number.

If you already have an Irish PPS Number, please bring this with you to your nearest office.

What you need to bring

To get a PPS Number you will need to bring a form of identification such as:

• your Ukrainian National Identity card
• your Ukrainian passport

or

• another form of identification

Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a monthly payment of €140 to support parents and guardians. It is paid for each child who:

• normally lives with you and is being fully supported by you
• is under 16, or under 19 if in full-time education, full-time training or has a disability and cannot support themselves

Child Benefit is not paid on behalf of children 19 or older, even if they stay in education or training.

Income support if you live in a Designated Accommodation Centre

If you are resident in a Designated Accommodation Centre Designated Accommodation Centres you will receive the Beneficiary of Temporary Protection Weekly Payment. This payment is €38.80 per week for each adult and €29.80 for each child up to the age of 18 years of age.

If you are of working age, you must engage with the Department of Social Protection’s public employment service regarding employment opportunities, education, training or development needs.

The following payments will also be available to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection resident in Designated Accommodation Centres:

• Child Benefit
• Item was unpublished or removed– a one-time payment to assist with exceptional needs.

Income support if you live in private or other accommodation

If you are not resident in a Designated Accommodation Centre you may apply for income support from the Department of Social Protection. You may be required to provide evidence that you are not resident in a Designated Accommodation Centre.

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in private or other accommodation may apply for the following income supports

• you may apply for an income support payment if you need it

An income support payment may also include an increase for adult and child dependents

• Child Benefit

• Additional Needs Payment – a one-time payment which may be issued to assist with exceptional needs

Further information and advice is available at your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.

If you would like to find a job in Ireland you can check out employment opportunities at JobsIreland.ie or you can call into your local Item was unpublished or removed and one of our employment service officers can help you.

What to do if you start working

The Temporary Protection Directive allows you to work while you are in Ireland. If you are receiving a payment from the Department of Social Protection, you must let us know immediately if you find a job. To let us know you should go to your local Item was unpublished or removed.

If you move address, you must let us know as soon as possible.

To let us know, you should go to your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.

If you are getting income support from the Department of Social Protection you should let us know of your absence in advance of travel, you can do this by visiting your local Intreo Centre or Branch Office.

Permission letters

If you arrived at Dublin Airport before 9 March 2022 (when permission letters first began to issue) or if you have arrived into another port of entry to the State, you can get your permission letter by visiting one of these centres:

• Citywest Convention Centre, Saggart, Co. Dublin, D24 A38Y
• Item was unpublished or removed
• Limerick Intreo Centre, Dominick Street, Limerick, V94 X327

If you have any difficulty getting to one of the dedicated centres, please contact us at ukrainesupportmailbox@justice.ie and we will do our best to make other arrangements for you.

Intreo Centres and Branch Offices

Contact details and opening hours for all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices are available here.

• Intreo Centres or Branch Offices - These are the offices that provide social welfare services in Ireland