How to understand your payment breakdown
The following are terms that you might find on your payment breakdown, how to interpret them and where to find more information about them
Flat rate
Your flat rate is the usual amount of money that you typically receive
Arrears
Arrears are money that you are owed, paid to you by the Department
Fuel allowance
Fuel Allowance is a supplement payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home during the Winter months
Means
If you are applying for a social assistance payment you must satisfy a means test. All your sources of income (for example, cash income, employment, capital and maintenance) are assessed and it comes off your payment as means
Debt
Debt will be taken off your payment if you were overpaid or owe the Department money
Separate Payment Deduction
If you have chosen to have your payment split between yourself and your partner you will see a separate payment deduction on your payment
Local property Tax Deduction
This is a deduction of your Local property tax from your social welfare payment which is then paid to revenue
Exceptional Payment
This is a one off payment made to you by the Department in exceptional circumstances
More information is available on www.welfare.ie