Thinking Finance

Living Alone Increase

Living Alone Increase: The Living Alone Increase is an extra payment for people on social welfare payments who are living alone. Rules If you are 66 years or over and live alone, you will qualify if you are getting one of the following payments State Pension (Contributory) State Pension (Non-Contributory)

Invalidity Pension

Invalidity Pension General Information: The Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment given to people who cannot work due to a long-term illness or disability and are covered by social insurance (PRSI). At the age of 66, you transfer automatically to the state pension at the full rate. The invalidity pension is taxable, and

Illness Benefit

Illness Benefit: Introduction You may get Illness Benefit from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP) if you cannot work because you are sick or ill. You must be aged under 66, covered by the appropriate class of social insurance (PRSI) and satisfy the PRSI conditions. Illness Benefit is not linked to

Rent Supplement

Rent Supplement: Rent Supplement is a means-tested payment for certain people living in private rented accommodation who cannot provide for the cost of their accommodation from their own resources. In the past, you could apply for Rent Supplement if you were qualified for social housing support and were on the

Household Benefits Package

Household Benefits Package: The Household Benefits Package is a package of allowances which help you with the costs of running your household. The package is available to everyone aged over 70 and to people under age 70 in certain circumstances. You must be legally resident and living permanently in the

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance: Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested. You

Disability Allowance

Disability Allowance: Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability. You can get Disability Allowance from 16 years of age. If you are in education when you turn 16, you can continue to attend school while still receiving the disability benefit. If you qualify for Disability

Diet and Heating Supplement

Diet and heating supplements: If you have special dietary and heating needs you may be able to get additional weekly supplements under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. You must satisfy the specific requirements for each supplement – see ‘Rules’ below. Rules Diet supplement The diet supplement was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February

Carers Support Grant

The Carer’s Support Grant: The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). The scheme name was changed from the Respite Care Grant in 2016 to better reflect how the Grant is used. Carers can use the grant

Carers Benefit

Carer’s Benefit: Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention. You can get Carer’s Benefit for a total period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. This may be claimed as