Farm Assist
A means-tested weekly payment for low-income farmers, assessed on farm income with more generous disregards than Jobseeker's Allowance.
- Type
- Means-tested
- Paid
- Every week
- Taxable
- No
- Administered by
- Department of Social Protection
How much is Farm Assist?
€254/week
Maximum weekly personal rate
Increases you may also get
| Increase for an adult dependant | €168.60/week |
|---|---|
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (full rate) | €58/week |
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (half rate) | €29/week |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (full rate) | €78/week |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (half rate) | €39/week |
Budget 2027: from January 2027
Amounts a week. Announced, not yet in force. Until January 2027 you are paid the current rate.
| Rate | Now | From January 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum weekly personal rate | €254 | €264 |
| Increase for an adult dependant | €168.60 | €175.20 |
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (full rate) | €58 | €64 |
| Child Support Payment: child under 12 (half rate) | €29 | Not yet published |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (full rate) | €78 | €84 |
| Child Support Payment: child 12 or over (half rate) | €39 | Not yet published |
DSP's Budget 2027 tables do not list every figure for this payment; the rest are shown when DSP publishes them.
Read from Department of Social Protection, Budget 2027, checked .
Who can get Farm Assist
- You must be a farmer aged 18 to 65 who is farming land in the State.
- You must pass the means test.
- You do not need to be available for or seeking other work.
The Farm Assist means test
Means-tested on farm income, with disregards for children and for income from certain schemes. Your home and the land you farm are not counted as capital.
How your savings are assessed
All means-tested payments except Disability Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
|---|---|
| First €20,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance | €4 per €1,000 |
Capital means your savings, investments, stocks, shares and any property other than your own home. Your own home is never assessed. Capital belonging to a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is included.
Things people get caught by
- Unlike Jobseeker's Allowance, you do not have to be available for or seeking work.
- Income from the Rural Social Scheme and certain agri-environment schemes is treated differently in the means test.
What else you might get
Payments interact. These are the ones that commonly go with Farm Assist.
- Fuel Allowance
If you meet the Fuel Allowance means test.
- Working Family Payment
Not paid alongside Farm Assist.