Guide to Social Welfare Services - Homepage

Guide to Social Welfare Services

“Our Mission is to promote a caring society throughensuring access to income support and relatedservices, enabling active participation, promotingsocial inclusion and supporting families.”

Produced by the Information ServiceDepartment of Social and Family Affairs

2006 Edition

“keeping you informed”

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New Scheme Names

The following scheme names will change, see relevant section for dateof change.

Old Age (Contributory) Pension

Old Age (Non-Contributory)Pension

Retirement Pension

Unemployment Benefit

Unemployment Assistance

Unemployability Supplement

Disability Benefit

Orphan’s (Contributory)Allowance

Orphan’s (Non-Contributory)Pension

State Pension (Contributory)

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

State Pension (Transition)

Jobseeker’s Benefit

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Incapacity Supplement

Illness Benefit

Guardian’s Payment(Contributory)

Guardian’s Payment(Non-Contributory)

Old name of scheme New name of scheme

Note

The Pension Service Office in Sligo has changed it’s name toSocial Welfare Service Office.

Guide to Social Welfare ServicesThis Guide gives information on all social welfare services. The varioustypes of social welfare services have been colour coded to help you findthe information easily.

All our information booklets and application forms are available on theInternet at www.welfare.ie. These booklets set out more fully thequalifying conditions of the various schemes.

Copies of the Department’s publications (listed in Appendix 8) areavailable free of charge from your Social Welfare Local Office or from:

Information ServicesDepartment of Social and Family AffairsOisín House212-213 Pearse StreetDublin 2

LoCall Leaflet Request Line: 1890 20 23 25

A factsheet issues following each budget updating the informationcontained in this SW 4. This factsheet is available from our LeafletRequest Line Telephone: 1890 20 23 25.

The Rates of Payment booklet SW 19, with the current rates of socialwelfare is also available.

This Guide is also available in Irish. Other formats of this guide can bemade available on request to people with special needs.

Please note that this book is intended as a guide only and does notpurport to be a legal interpretation.

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Contents Page

Section 1. Social welfare payments explained 1

1.1 Types of payments 2

1.2 Increases for qualified adults or qualified children 3

1.3 Special arrangements 9

1.4 How payments are made 9

1.5 Qualifying for Social Insurance payments 10

1.6 Qualifying for Social Assistance payments 11

1.7 Recovery of social welfare overpayments 14

1.8 Social Welfare Appeals Office 15

Section 2. Social insurance 17

2.1 Your Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.) 18

2.2 Your PRSI Record 19

2.3 Pay-Related Social Insurance 20

2.4 PRSI Contribution Classes 21

2.5 Self-employed contributions 28

2.6 Special Collection System 29

2.7 Voluntary PRSI Contributions 30

2.8 PRSI Credits 31

2.9 Worksharing 34

2.10 PRSA’s 35

Section 3. Benefits abroad 37

3.1 Social Insurance and EC Regulations 38

3.2 Bilateral Social Security Agreements with other countries 43

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Section 4. Retired or older people 45

4.1 State Pension (Transition) 46

4.2 State Pension (Contributory) 51

4.3 State Pension (Non-Contributory) 55

4.4 Pre-Retirement Allowance 60

4.5 Homemakers 63

4.6 Protecting your occupational pension rights 66

Section 5. Widows, widower’s and One-parent families 69

5.1 Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension 70

5.2 Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension 76

5.3 Widowed Parent Grant 80

5.4 One-Parent Family Payment 82

5.5 Your duty to support your family 88

Section 6. Child related payments 93

6.1 Child Benefit 94

6.2 Maternity Benefit 98

6.3 Adoptive Benefit 103

6.4 Health and Safety Benefit 107

6.5 Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) 112

6.6 Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) 114

6.7 School Meals Programme 117

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SW 4

Section 7. Illness, disability and caring 119

7.1 Illness Benefit 120

7.2 Invalidity Pension 126

7.3 Disability Allowance 129

7.4 Blind Pension 133

7.5 Carer’s Benefit 138

7.6 Carer’s Allowance 143

7.7 Respite Care Grant 148

7.8 Injury Benefit 150

7.9 Disablement Benefit 154

7.10 Medical Care 157

7.11 Death Benefit 158— Widow’s or Widower’s Pension 158— Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) 159— Dependent Parent(s) Pension 159— Funeral Grant 159

Section 8. Unemployment supports 163

8.1 Applying for a jobseekers payment 164

8.2 How to qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance 164

8.3 How much can I get? 165

8.4 How do I get my payment? 165

8.5 Can I work while getting a jobseeker’s payment? 167

8.6 Optional Jobseeker’s Allowance 168

8.7 Extra Benefits 169

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Section 9. Employment Supports 171

9.1 Family Income Supplement 172

9.2 Farm Assist 175

9.3 Facilitators 176

9.4 Back to Work Allowance (Employees) 176

9.5 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA) 179

9.6 Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme 182

9.7 Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme 183

9.8 Revenue Job Assist 184

9.9 Partnerships 184

9.10 Study 184

9.11 Back to Education Programme (BTEA) 184

9.12 Education, Training and Development Option 187

9.13 Work and your medical card 187

Section 10. Extra benefits 189

10.1 Treatment Benefit 190

10.2 Bereavement Grant 196

10.3 Continuing payment after a death in the family 199

10.4 National Fuel Scheme 201

10.5 Smokeless Fuel Allowance 204

10.6 Free Travel 205

10.7 Household Benefits Package 210

10.8 Increase for Living Alone 214

10.9 Increase for living on a specified Island 215

10.10 Rent Allowance for Tenants affected by the De-control of Rents 216

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SW 4

Section 11. Supplementary Welfare Allowance 221

11.1 Supplementary Welfare Allowance 222

11.2 Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplements 225

11.3 Special Needs Supplements 226

11.4 Exceptional Needs Payments 226

11.5 Urgent Needs Payments 227

11.6 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance 227

Section 12. Family services 231

12.1 Family Affairs Unit 232

12.2 Family Support Agency 232

12.3 Family Mediation Service 233

12.4 Grants for voluntary organisations providing marriage,child and bereavement counselling services 237

12.5 Family and Community Services Resource Centres 238

Section 13. Money Advice and Budgeting Services 241

13.1 Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) 242

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Appendices 245

Appendix 1: Head Offices of the Departmentof Social and Family Affairs 246

Appendix 2: Other Social Welfare Offices 250

Appendix 3: Regional Managers and Regional Co-ordinators 265

Appendix 4: Area Company Managers underthe Area-Based Schemes 269

Appendix 5: List of MABS Offices 273

Appendix 6: Offices administering health services 275

Appendix 7: Other useful addresses 277

Appendix 8: Information leaflets or booklets 278

Index 281

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SW 4

This section outlines the various types of social welfare payments,including social insurance and social assistance payments.

It also explains:

• how to qualify for social welfare payments,

• who dependants are,

• how payments are made,

• various means tests,

and

• how claims are decided.

It also gives information on the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

Section 1Social welfare payments explained


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1.1 Types of payments

Social welfare payments are broadly divided into three types:

• Contributory payments are based on your Pay-Related SocialInsurance (PRSI) record. Whether you qualify for a payment dependson you having a certain number of PRSI contributions.

• Non-contributory payments require you to satisfy a means test andbe habitually resident in the State.

• Payments and benefits, such as Child Benefit and Free Travel, do notdepend on PRSI contributions or means.

Anyone can apply for a social welfare payment in their own right if theysatisfy all the conditions for the payment. Apart from your PRSI record ormeans test, other conditions can apply. For example, if you are claiminga jobseeker’s payment you must also be capable of work, available forand genuinely seeking work.

You must tell the Department about any change in your situation thatmay affect whether you qualify for a social welfare payment. Examplesinclude your spouse or partner taking up work or you changing youraddress.

How we decide on applications

Deciding Officers of the Department of Social and Family Affairs makedecisions on applications for the majority of payments. If you considerthat a decision on your application is incorrect, it is open to you to sendany further documentary evidence that you think is relevant to your caseto the Department and the decision will be reviewed by the DecidingOfficer.

If you are not satisfied with the Deciding Officer’s decision (either beforeor after seeking a review by a Deciding Officer), you may, in general,appeal it to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. (See Section1.8 for details about the Social Welfare Appeals Office).

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SW 4

Officers of the regional Health Service Executive* make decisions onapplications for Supplementary Welfare Allowance. You have the right toappeal most decisions by these officers. If you are dissatisfied with theoutcome of an appeal, you may tell the Health Service Executive that youwish to have your application decided by an independent AppealsOfficer.

* Since January 2005, the Health Boards have been replaced by theHealth Service Executive (HSE).

Rates of payment

The amounts of all social welfare payments are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SSWW 1199..

Normally, you may claim only one basic payment at any one time butthere are a few exceptions to this rule, for example a widow or widoweror a lone parent may qualify for Illness or Jobseeker’s Benefit at half thepersonal rate for a limited time at the same time as their main payment.

1.2 Increases in payments for qualified adults and children

Most weekly payments are made up of a personal rate for you and extraamounts for your spouse or partner and any child.

Increase for a Qualified Adult

If you have a spouse or partner you may receive an Increase for aQualified Adult (IQA). If you are divorced or separated and you aresupporting your former spouse, you may claim an increase in yourpayment for them if:

• you are paying them a certain amount of maintenance a week,

• they are not living with someone as husband and wife, and

• their income does not exceed certain limits.

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Social Welfare Payments Explained

If your spouse’s or partner’s sole income is from one of the followingsocial welfare or Health Service Executive payments, they may beconsidered a Qualified Adult:

• Child Benefit,

• Disablement Benefit,

• Domiciliary Care Allowance,

• Foster Care Allowance,

• Occupational Injuries Death Benefit in respect of an Orphan,

• Guardian’s Payment (Contributory),

• Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory), or

• Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

If you are applying for a State Pension (Contributory) or a State Pension(Transition) you can choose to have the Increase for a Qualified Adultpaid directly to your spouse or partner.

An Increase for a Qualified Adult may be paid where you are single,widowed, separated or divorced and a person has the care of yourchild(ren) and you are wholly and mainly maintaining them, if they:

• are age 16 or over,

• are living in your household, and

• do not have a weekly income* of more than €100.

If you are separated or divorced, an increase for such a person will not bepaid if you are being wholly or mainly maintained by your spouse or youare wholly or mainly maintaining them.

Only one increase for a qualified adult is payable on your claim.

* A reduced rate of IQA (Increase for a Qualified Adult) is payable withcertain payments if the Qualified Adult’s income exceeds €100 but is lessthan a specified amount (currently €250 a week):

• If a qualified adult’s income exceeds €100 per week but is lessthan €250 a week, a reduced rate of Increase for a Qualified Adult ispayable with the following payments:

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SW 4

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— Illness Benefit,

— Disability Allowance,

— Jobseeker’s Benefit,

— Jobseeker’s Allowance,

— Farm Assist,

— Pre-Retirement Allowance,

— Incapacity Supplement,

— Occupational Injury Benefit,

— Invalidity Pension,

— State Pension (Contributory),

— State Pension (Transition).

You will nnoott get an increase if they

• have earnings or income of more than a certain amount (see note onpage 6),

or

• are entitled to or getting:

— a social welfare payment including Family Income Supplement in their own right [other than Disablement Benefit, Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA), Child Benefit, Widowed Parent Grant, Occupational Injuries, Death Benefit in respect of an Orphan, Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) or Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)],

or

— an Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance (IDMA),

or

— an allowance for participation in the following schemes:

— full-time FÁS non-craft training course,— VTOS course,— Back to Education Allowance,

— Back to Work Allowance,— Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, or — Part-time Job Incentive.

or

— are disqualified from getting jobseeker’s payments because of a trade dispute, unless you were getting an Increase for a Qualified Adult prior to the dispute.

In some cases you may be disqualified from receiving an Increase for aQualified Adult where your spouse is not in Ireland. However, EURegulations may assist in such cases where you are claiming acontributory payment.

Increase for a Qualified Child

Most social welfare payments provide for an increase in respect ofqualified children.

You may receive an increase for each qualified child who:

• is ordinarily resident in the State (See Section 3, Benefits Abroadconcerning impact of EU Regulations),

• is not detained in a reformatory or an industrial school,

• normally lives with you,

and is either;

• under 18 years of age,or

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SW 4

NoteWhere your spouse or partner earns over the limit(currently €100.00 per week) but less than a specifiedamount (currently €250.00 per week), you will continueto get an increase at a reduced rate. (See SW 19 for moreinformation).

• is 18 years or over and attending a full-time second-level day courseof study, instruction or training at an institute of education, or

• is 18 years and up to age 22 and attending a full-time day course ofeducation at an institute of education - this does not apply if you areclaiming Illness Benefit, Health and Safety Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefitor Allowance, Disablement Pension (Incapacity Supplement), InjuryBenefit or a combination of these payments or certain other socialwelfare payments [excluding State Pension (Contributory) or StatePension (Non-Contributory) and Child Benefit] for less than 156 days.

If EU legislation or a bilateral social security agreement between Irelandand another country applies to your claim then it is generally notnecessary for the child to be ordinarily resident in Ireland.

In certain circumstances a child who is not living with you can also beregarded as a qualified child if you are substantially maintaining them.

A qualified child increase is payable after your child reaches age 18:

• for 3 months immediately after leaving second level education orfinishing the Leaving Certificate Examination, whichever is later,

• until the following 30 June or until they complete their full-timesecond-level day course, whichever is the earlier, or

• for the summer holiday period (where this begins between 1 May and30 June) up to and including the following 1 September. Payment willnot continue until 1 September where your child completes theLeaving Certificate examination or finishes second level education.

If your child reaches age 22 during an academic year while attending afull-time day course of education, they continue to be regarded as yourqualified child up to the end of that academic year provided theycontinue to receive full-time education.

A qualified child increase is not generally payable where your child isattending a course of training or instruction:

• provided by FÁS and is getting an allowance,

• which arises from employment or forms part of an employment orwork experience programme,

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SW 4

• which includes a period of paid work experience during an academicyear which is greater than the time spent receiving instruction ortuition at an institute of education, or

• a period of work experience which is part of a Teagasc approvedcourse where the period spent on work experience during theacademic year is greater than the time spent receiving instruction ortuition at an institute of education.

A qualified child increase may be payable while a child is attendingYOUTHREACH.

You will not get an increase for a child if they are getting:

• a social welfare payment (except Disablement Pension) orSupplementary Welfare Allowance, or

• Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance (IDMA) from the HealthService Executive.

Your child will be regarded as continuing to attend a full-time day courseof education:

(a) for periods during an academic year when the provision of educationis interrupted owing to a strike or holidays,

(b) for the summer holiday period (where this begins between 1 May and30 June) up to and including the third Sunday of the followingOctober or an earlier date if you wish. Payment will not continue untilOctober where your child completes the final year of their course(other than the Leaving Certificate examination) and finishesattending the institute of education.

Children are usually regarded as dependants of both parents if theynormally live with both parents. Each parent can claim an Increase for aQualified Child if you are married and both you and your spouse aregetting a social welfare payment in your own right.

Only one increase will be paid in respect of each child. Half the rate ofthe increase for the qualified child will be paid to each of you. This alsoapplies in the case of a couple who are not married to each other but areliving together as husband and wife.

If you are living with your spouse or partner as husband and wife andthey are not a qualified adult, a half-rate Increase for a Qualified Childwill be paid. However, if you are claiming Jobseeker’s Benefit, IllnessBenefit, Health & Safety Benefit, Injury Benefit or Disablement Pension(Incapacity Supplement), no Increase for a Qualified Child will be paid ifyour spouse’s or partner’s income is in excess of a certain limit, currently€350 a week.

1.3 Special arrangements

Sometimes, special arrangements can be made to pay a portion of theweekly social welfare payment directly to the spouse or partner. If you oryour spouse or partner has a difficulty, contact the section of theDepartment dealing with your particular payment.

1.4 How payments are made

We make payments in different forms for the various social welfareschemes:

• Direct payments are lodged directly to an account in a financialinstitution, meaning that:

— you get your payment into your account on the day of payment,— you can access your payment at a time and place that suits you,— you do not have to face any queues or delays to collect your

payment.

Your dealings with your financial institution remain confidential. We haveno access to your account details.

• Manual postdraft payments are made by payable order each weekat a chosen post office.

• EIT postdraft payments are made using a Social Services Card eachweek at a chosen post office.

• Personalised Payable Order (PPO) payments are made using abook that you may cash at a chosen post office.

• Cheque payments are posted directly to you.

You should contact your local Social Welfare Office for full information onthe payment method available for each scheme.

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SW 4

1.5 Qualifying for social insurance payments

You need enough PRSI paid or credited contributions at the correct rateor class to qualify for social insurance payments. Details of PRSIcontribution rates and the benefits covered are shown in the SW 14which is available on the Department’s website.

In terms of having enough PRSI contributions, you must show that youhave:

• a minimum number of PRSI contributions paid at any time duringyour working life, and

• a minimum number of PRSI contributions paid or credited in therelevant tax year (see Section 2.8 for details about PRSI ‘credits’).

These conditions vary depending on the payment for which you areclaiming.

The relevant tax year is generally the second last complete tax yearbefore the Benefit Year in which you claim.

The Benefit Year begins on the first Monday in January each year.

Since April 1994, if you left the workforce to provide full-time care andattention for a child or a person who is ill, we disregard the years spentproviding care when we work out the yearly average number of PRSIcontributions for State Pension (Contributory).

To benefit from this scheme (the Homemaker’s Scheme), you must haveworked and paid PRSI previously (or may do so in the future) at Class A,E, H or S. See Section 4.5 or booklet SW 1 for further information.

What happens if I do not have enough PRSI contributions?

You will not qualify for benefits if you do not have enough PRSIcontributions on your record. You should:

• make sure you have a PPS No. and that your employer knows yournumber so that your PRSI contributions can be added to your record,

For a claim made in Benefit Year: Relevant Tax Year is:

2006 20042007 2005

• send in an application for the periods you are out of work because ofillness or unemployment to help keep your record up-to-date withthe award of credits (see Section 2.8 for details about credits),

• consider paying voluntary PRSI contributions if you leave theworkforce for a time (see Section 2.7 for details about voluntarycontributions), and

• if you are self-employed, make sure you pay your full contributions, oryou will not get any contributions for the year.

If you do not qualify for a social insurance payment, you may beentitled to a social assistance payment instead.

1.6 Qualifying for social assistance payments

If you do not qualify for a social insurance payment or have used up yourentitlement, you may qualify for a social assistance payment instead.

To qualify for this type of payment, generally, you must be habituallyresident in Ireland. You must also satisfy a means test. This is a way ofchecking if you have enough means to support yourself and decidingwhat amount of payment, if any, you may qualify for. Your means are anyincome belonging to you or your spouse or partner. This includesproperty (except your family home) or an asset that can provide you withan income. For certain payments, for example, Jobseeker’s Allowance,the value of benefits and privileges such as free board and lodging isregarded as means if you are under 25 years of age.

Your weekly rate of payment depends on the amount of means weassess in the means test.

Means test

A means test is used for the following payments:

• State Pension (Non-Contributory),

• Carer’s Allowance,

• One-Parent Family Payment,

• Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension,

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• Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory),

• Jobseeker’s Allowance,

• Pre-Retirement Allowance (PRETA),

• Farm Assist,

• Blind Pension,

• Disability Allowance,

• Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA)1,

• Rent Allowance for Tenants affected by the De-control of Rents.

When you apply for a means-tested payment, a Social Welfare Inspectorwill ask for details of your means. The Inspector may do this at your localSocial Welfare Office or may call to you at your home. The Inspector mayask you to produce documents such as accounts or statements from yourfinancial institution.

A decision on your means is made by a separate Deciding Officer.

What counts as means?

The main items that count as means are:

• cash income,

• income from employment or self-employment,

• the value of any property you have (except your own home),

• the value of any savings and investments, and

• the value of any benefits and privileges such as board and lodging,but only for Jobseeker’s Allowance if you are aged between 18 and25.

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SW 4

1 A Community Welfare Officer from your regional office of the HealthService Executive will work out your means in the case of SupplementaryWelfare Allowance.

NoteFor Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory), the itemslisted are only counted where they belong to the orphan.

If you are married and living with your spouse or if you are cohabiting(living with someone as husband and wife), we may take into accountthe means of your spouse or partner in the means assessment.

You can get more information on means tests throughout this book underthe sections dealing with the payments listed on pages 11 and 12. If youneed further information, contact the office dealing with your claim.

Working out your own means is difficult. You should apply if you thinkyou may qualify for any of the means-tested payments.

Habitual Residence Condition

Habitual Residence is a condition you must satisfy in order to qualify forcertain social assistance payments and Child Benefit. This conditionexists since 1 May 2004 and affects all applicants, regardless ofnationality.

You must satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition for:

— Jobseeker’s Allowance,

— State Pension (Non-Contributory),

— Blind Pension,

— Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension,

— Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory),

— One-Parent Family Payment,

— Carer’s Allowance,


— Supplementary Welfare Allowance (other than once-off exceptional and urgent needs payments), and

— Child Benefit.

You are likely to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition if you:

— have spent all of your life in the Common Travel Area (see note on page 14),

or

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— have lived in the Common Travel Area for the last 2 years or more, have worked in the Common Travel Area and now live in the Republic of Ireland.

or

— have lived in other parts of the Common Travel Area for 2 years or more and then move to the Republic of Ireland and intend to make it your permanent home.

You can get information on the Habitual Residence Condition from yourlocal Social Welfare Office or you can write to:

HRC SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsFloor 2Landen House157-164 Townsend StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 673 2041

For further details see information booklet SSWW 110088 or contact HRCSection at the address above.

1.7 Recovery of social welfare overpayments

If you have been overpaid the Department must make every effort torecover the overpayment.

We will let you know if you have been overpaid and tell you the reasonsfor the overpayment and the amount involved. We will outline how wepropose to recover the money overpaid.

You will be invited to give us any details which you consider relevant tothe overpayment, the repayment of the overpayment and to the methodof repayment.

NoteThe Common Travel Area is Ireland, Great Britain, theChannel Islands and the Isle of Man.

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SW 4

In determining the method and amount of the repayment we willconsider the amount of and the reasons for the overpayment as well asyour ability to repay it. Any repayments should be affordable and wherenecessary we can defer, suspend or reduce the repayment.

1.8 Social Welfare Appeals Office

The Appeals Office operates independently of the Department of Socialand Family Affairs. It is headed by the Chief Appeals Officer.

If you disagree with the decision of the Deciding Officer concerning yourpayment or benefit, you have the right to appeal to the Social WelfareAppeals Office.

When should I appeal?

You should appeal within 21 days of being told the decision on yourapplication. In exceptional cases, the Appeals Officer may acceptappeals received outside this period.

How do I appeal?

You can appeal by completing form SWAO 1, which you can get at yourlocal Social Welfare Office, or you may set out the reasons for yourappeal in a letter. Either way you should set out your case fully. Makesure that you state your name, address and your Personal Public ServiceNumber (previously known as RSI number).

Where do I send the appeal?

Your local Social Welfare Office will be happy to pass on your appeal to the Appeals Office. Or you may prefer to send your appeal directly to:

Chief Appeals OfficerSocial Welfare Appeals OfficeD’Olier HouseD’Olier Street, Dublin 2

LoCall: 1890 747 434Email: [email protected]

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What happens when I appeal?

When you appeal, the Chief Appeals Officer will arrange to have yourcase placed before an Appeals Officer.

The Appeals Officer may deal with your appeal on their own if there isenough written evidence. If not, the Appeals Officer may decide to holdan oral hearing of your case, to which you are invited.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance Appeals

There is a different process for appealing against decisions relating toSupplementary Welfare Allowance. As this scheme is run by the HealthService Executive, appeals should be made to the relevant Health ServiceExecutive’s Appeals Officer. If you are still not happy with the outcome,you may request the Health Service Executive to send your case to theChief Appeals Officer for independent consideration.

For further details on appeals, see information booklets SW 53, SW 54and SW 56.

NoteYou must first appeal to the Health Service Executivebefore asking it to refer the matter to the Chief AppealsOfficer.

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SW 4

This section explains social insurance and who it covers. It outlines:

• Personal Public Service Numbers (PPS No.s)

• Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions fromemployees, employers and self-employed people

• Voluntary contributions

• Credited contributions (‘credits’)

• Worksharing

• PRSAs.

Section 2Social insurance


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2.1 Your Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.)

Your PPS No. (formerly known as your RSI No.) is your unique referencenumber for all dealings with Government Departments and public bodies(for example, social welfare, Revenue).

You need your PPS No. for all dealings with the Department of Social andFamily Affairs.

Your PPS No. appears on a Social Services Card, any social welfarepension and payment books, Temporary Payment Card, Drugs PaymentCard you use, as well as on a P60, P45, a PAYE notice of tax credits, a taxassessment or any letters from this Department or Revenue. Your payslip is also evidence of your PPS No. once it contains your name and yourPPS number is correct.

Children now born in Ireland automatically get a PPS No. when the birthis registered. In other cases children automatically get PPS No.s whentheir parent or guardian applies for Child Benefit. Where benefit is notclaimed or the child was not born in Ireland, the parent or guardian canapply for a PPS No. at their local Social Welfare Office.

If you cannot find your number, contact your local Social Welfare Office.If you do not have a number, staff at your local Social Welfare Office willrequest one for you.

To get a PPS No. you must give evidence of your identity at the localSocial Welfare Office, where you fill in an application form.

If you were born in Ireland, you need to bring the following documentsto show your identity:

• long form of your Birth Certificate,•valid photographic ID, e.g. current valid passport, full driving licence,

and•evidence of your address, such as a household bill.

If you are from the UK you need either a current valid passport or BirthCertificate (long form preferred), another form of photographic ID andevidence of your address. You must also produce some details ofemployment, social security claims, residency, tax payment or educationin the UK or Northern Ireland.

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SW 4

If you are a national of the European Economic Area* (other than theUK) you need a passport or National Identity Card, some evidence ofbirth, employment, social security claims in the relevant country andevidence of your address in Ireland.

*The European Economic Area (EEA) includes member states of theEuropean Union plus Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein. Swiss nationalsare also considered EEA nationals for PPS No. purposes.

If you are a non-EEA national you need a passport or proof ofregistration with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform(Green Book or Plastic Card), some evidence of birth, employment orsocial security claims in the relevant country and evidence of youraddress.

Make sure you store safely any document that shows your PPS No.You need the number when accessing services from public bodies.

2.2 Your PRSI record

Important documents that record your PRSI

P60

At the end of each tax year your employer will give you Form P60. ThisP60 shows your total pay, number of weeks of employment, tax, PRSIpayments and your PRSI Class for the tax year.

Check that your PPS No., PRSI weeks and the PRSI class are correct onthe P60, and keep your P60 for at least 2 years. You may need it to claim a refund of income tax or apply for social insurance benefits.

P45

If you leave your job, your employer must give you Form P45. This showsyour total pay, number of weeks of employment, tax and PRSI paymentsfrom the start of the tax year until the date you leave your job. Checkthat your PPS No., PRSI weeks and the PRSI class(es) are correct on theP45. You need your P45 if you get a new job or if you apply for ajobseeker’s payment.

You have the right by law to examine and get a statement of your PRSI record held by your employer.

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Social Insurance

2.3 Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI)

Who pays PRSI?

With very few exceptions, if you are aged 16 or over and you are a

• part-time or full-time employee,or

• self-employed person with a minimum annual income you must pay Pay-Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contributions. See SW 14 for details of the minimum annual income for self-employed people.

PRSI contributions

The PRSI contribution, normally paid by an employer and an employee, is a percentage of an employee’s reckonable earnings (their gross pay minus superannuation and Permanent Health Insurance contributions),which the employer deducts the employee’s share directly from theirearnings.

The PRSI contribution is made up of social insurance and the healthcontribution:

• The social insurance part, paid by employers and employees, goes to the Social Insurance Fund which helps pay for social welfare benefits and pensions. See SW 14 for details.

• The Health Contribution goes towards funding the health services. This is included in the employee’s share of the contribution in any week that their reckonable earnings are over a certain amount. See SW 14 for details.

The employer must check if employees have a medical card, are aged70 or over, get Widow’s or Widower’s Pension, One-Parent FamilyPayment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance or a Widow’s orWidower’s payment under the social security law of a country coveredby EC Regulations. These employees do not pay the HealthContribution no matter what they earn.

• For Classes A and H the 0.7% of the employer’s share of PRSI is calledthe National Training Fund Levy. The National Training fund supports a broad range of employment training initiatives. The Levy is included in the employer’s share of PRSI so there is no increase in the overall rate paid by the employer.

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PRSI-Free Allowance for employees

A PRSI-Free Allowance applies each week to an employee’s earnings upuntil they reach the PRSI ceiling. This means they pay social insurancecontributions on only some of their income each week. However, theallowance does not affect the employer’s contribution and employeesmust still pay the Health Contribution based on their total weeklyearnings. The PRSI classes are outlined on pages 24 to 28 of this booklet.

Employees covered under Classes A, B, C, D and H with reckonableearnings of €300 a week or less in 2006, do not pay PRSI for that week.However, the employer pays their share of PRSI as normal. Employeescontinue to be covered for the benefits and pensions appropriate to theirPRSI Class.

Earnings Ceiling

There is a fixed ceiling on the amount of social insurance contributionsan employee has to pay in any year. When an employee’s earnings goover the employee’s ceiling for social insurance, they only continue to paythe Health Contribution, where due. The Employer continues payingtheir share of the PRSI contribution on all of the employee’searnings. The employee is still covered for benefit even though they stoppaying PRSI contributions because their earnings have reached theceiling. There has been no income ceiling for self-employed contributorssince 6 April 2001.

There is no income ceiling for the Health Contribution.

2.4 PRSI contribution classes

In general, PRSI contribution classes are decided by the nature of theemployment and the amount of the employee’s gross reckonableearnings in any week.

• Most workers pay PRSI contributions at Class A and are covered for all social welfare benefits and pensions.

• Employees who earn less than €38 per week (from all jobs) and people aged 66 and over, pay PRSI at Class J and are covered for Occupational Injuries Benefits only.

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Social Insurance

• Some workers in the public sector do not have cover for all benefits and pensions and they pay a modified PRSI contribution at Classes B,C, D or H.

• Other people, such as those who are retired but receiving pensions from their former job, pay PRSI at Classes K or M. These classes do not give cover for social welfare benefits and pensions.

• Self-employed people pay PRSI at Class S up to age 66 are covered for some social welfare benefits and pensions.

However, if self-employed people rely on share fishing for their mainincome, they may choose to pay extra contributions under Class P.These extra contributions provide additional limited benefits in additionto their entitlements under Class S.

The type of employment in each PRSI contribution class together withthe benefits covered are summarised on pages 24 to 28.

PRSI subclasses

Most PRSI contribution classes are further divided into subclasses 0, 1, 2and X. A8, the exception to the usual subclass numbering, is a subclassof A9 which is used for Community Employment participants while onthe CE scheme only. These subclasses represent different bands ofweekly earnings and categories of people within each earnings band asoutlined in SW 14.

Deciding the correct PRSI class

If there is any doubt on whether PRSI should be paid or which class of PRSI should apply, you should make an application to theDepartment’s Scope Section for a decision on the issue. Before adecision is made, a Social Welfare Inspector investigates thoroughly byinterviewing the people concerned.

If an employee is unhappy with a decision made by the Scope Section,they can appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office within 21 days ofbeing told of the decision.

Where a decision results in the PRSI class changing to a higher rate ofPRSI, a Social Welfare Inspector will collect back payments from theemployer. Where a decision results in the PRSI class changing to a lower rate of PRSI, the employer can claim a refund from PRSI RefundsSection (see address on page 23).

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Refunds

If an employee has overpaid PRSI contributions they can apply for arefund to:

PRSI Refunds SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeOisín HousePearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 673 2586

More information

For further details of PRSI contributions contact:

Information ServicesDepartment of Social and Family AffairsOisín HousePearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 704 3000

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Social Insurance

Private sector employment

PRSI Class A• Employees in industrial, commercial and service employment with

gross earnings of €38 or more a week from all jobs,

• Civil and public servants recruited from 6 April 1995,

• Community Employment participants from 6 April 1996.

PRSI Class J• Employees in industrial, commercial and service employment whose

gross earnings are less than €38 a week from all jobs,

• Employees aged 66 or over and others insured for Occupational Injuries Benefits only,

• People taking part in certain FÁS training schemes insurable for Occupational Injuries Benefits only,

• People whose employment is of a subsidiary nature or whose employment does not provide their main income, for example people insurable at Classes B, C, D or H in their main employment and whohave a second job, attendants at Department of Education Examinations, Presiding Officers and Poll Clerks at Elections and FCA members on annual training.

Class A benefits


Illness Benefit

Health and Safety Benefit

Maternity Benefit

Adoptive Benefit

Invalidity Pension

Widow’s or Widower’sContributory Pension




Bereavement Grant

Treatment Benefit

Occupational Injuries Benefits

Carer’s Benefit

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Class J benefits

Occupational Injuries Benefit

Civil and public sector employments

PRSI Class B

Permanent and pensionable civil servants, registered doctors and dentistsemployed in the civil service and gardaí, recruited before 6 April 1995.

PRSI Class C

Commissioned army officers and members of the Army Nursing Servicerecruited before 6 April 1995.

recruited before 6 April 1995

PRSI Class D

Permanent and pensionable employees in the public service, other thanthose mentioned in Classes B and C, recruited before 6 April 1995.

Class C benefits



Bereavement Grant

Carer’s Benefit

CLASS B benefits



Limited Occupational Injuries Benefit

Bereavement Grant

Carer’s Benefit

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Social Insurance

CLASS D benefits



Occupational Injuries Benefits

Bereavement Grant

Carer’s Benefit

PRSI Class H

N.C.O.s and enlisted members of the Defence Forces.

Only certain benefits may be paid during service.

Private sector employment

PRSI Class E

Ministers employed by the Church of Ireland Representative Body.

Class E benefits

Illness Benefit


Maternity Benefit

Adoptive Benefit

Invalidity Pension





Bereavement Grant

Treatment Benefit

Carer’s Benefit

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Class H benefits


Illness Benefit


Maternity Benefit

Adoptive Benefit

Invalidity Pension





Bereavement Grant

Treatment Benefit

Carer’s Benefit

Self-employment

PRSI Class S

Self-employed people such as farmers, certain company directors, peoplewho run their own business. People with income from investments, rentsand maintenance.

PRSI Class P (optional)Self-employed people who rely on share fishing for their main income.

Occupational pensions

PRSI Class KPeople receiving income on which only the Health Contribution must be paid, such as:

• occupational pensions,

• income from certain official positions, for example, Judge or State Solicitor,

• income of people aged 66 to 70 who previously paid Class Scontributions

CLASS K benefits Nil

Class P benefits

Limited Jobseeker’s Benefit

Limited Illness Benefit

Treatment Benefit

Class S benefits




Maternity Benefit

Adoptive Benefit

Bereavement Grant

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Social Insurance

PRSI Class M• People with a nil contribution liability, for example, employees under

age 16,

• People within Class K with a nil liability, for example, medical card holders, widows and widowers, people aged 70 or over.

2.5 Self-employed contributions

In general, self-employed people pay PRSI through Revenue. Those whopay their tax direct to the Collector General pay their social insuranceand Health Contribution with their income tax. In 2006, if the annualincome of a self-employed contributor is over €3,174, a social insurancecontribution of 3% of all self-employed income or €253 (whichever isgreater) is payable. The Health Contribution also applies, where relevant.

However, if Revenue decides that a self-employed person has no net taxliability (NNL), they do not collect PRSI. Cases regarded as NNL byRevenue are referred to the Department of Social and Family Affairs tosee if a person has a PRSI liability. You need to have an annual income of€3,174 (conditions apply) in order to be liable to pay the NNL rate ofPRSI (currently a flat-rate contribution of €157 per annum to be paid tothe Department of Social and Family Affairs). If this is the case youshould contact:

NNL Unit - Self Employment SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsCork RoadWaterford

Telephone: Waterford (051) 356 000Dublin (01) 704 3000

See information booklet SW 74 for more details.

Class M Benefits

In certain cases Occupational Injuries Benefit

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2.6 Special collection system

Most employees pay PRSI through the Revenue PAYE system. However,employees who do not pay tax through the PAYE system pay PRSI ontheir earnings through the Special Collection system operated by theDepartment of Social and Family Affairs. The Special Collection systemincludes employees:

• whose earnings are paid from an employer’s office or residence outside the State where the employer is not registered for PAYE with Revenue,

• whose employer holds a certificate from Revenue excluding them from PAYE because their income tax liability is assessed under another system,

• who continue to be insured under Irish social security law while theyare temporarily posted by their employer to another country under EC Regulation 1408/71, a relevant Bilateral Agreement, or S.I. 312 of 1996,

• who pay PRSI as employees but are self-assessed for income tax purposes, for example, sub post masters, social welfare branch managers and medical consultants employed on a fee basis by the Health Service Executive.

Only the social insurance part of PRSI is paid through the SpecialCollection system. The Health Contribution, where due, is collected bythe Revenue Commissioners.

For more information on the Special Collection system and arrangementsfor posting employees temporarily overseas contact:

PRSI Special Collection SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCork RoadWaterford


See information booklet SW 63 for more details.

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Social Insurance

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2.7 Voluntary PRSI contributions

If an employee or self-employed contributor is no longer covered bycompulsory PRSI and they are under the age of 66, they may opt to payvoluntary contributions (VCs). These can help maintain or improve aperson’s pension entitlements, but they do not provide cover forshort-term benefits.

To become a voluntary contributor you must:

• have at least 260 weeks PRSI paid in either employment orself-employment, and

• apply within 12 months of the end of the tax year during which you last paid PRSI or had a PRSI ‘credit’.

Rates of contribution

A person’s voluntary contribution in any tax year is a percentage of theirincome up to a fixed limit. If you have no income or your income is low,your voluntary contribution is a fixed amount.

For more information about Voluntary PRSI see information booklet SW 8 or contact:

Voluntary Contributions SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCork RoadWaterford


Note

Class J PRSI contributions do not qualify. However, aperson whose employment becomes insurable at Class Jmay become a voluntary contributor if you already have260 weeks of insurable employment at another class, withhigher contributions.

2.8 PRSI credits

PRSI deductions are made from your earnings each week, except if youare sick, unemployed or retire early. In these cases you may qualify forcredits instead. Credits keep your insurance record up-to-date to helpprotect your right to payments and benefits in the future. Credits areusually awarded at the same rate as your last paid PRSI contribution.For example, if you paid PRSI at Class A in your last employment and areeligible for credits, the credits given will protect your entitlement toClass A benefits listed on page 24.

You may get credits while claiming social welfare payments because youare out of work or doing a FÁS course. These credits protect yourentitlement to benefits and pensions in the future.

To be entitled to PRSI credits, generally you must previously have workedand paid PRSI contributions. If, at any stage since starting work, you haveno PRSI contributions paid or credited for 2 full tax years in a row, youcannot get credits until you return to work and pay PRSI contributions forat least 26 weeks. Contributions paid at Classes S, J, K or M cannot beused to satisfy this condition.

Pre-entry credits

When you first start work you are automatically given credits. These pre-entry credits are given from the beginning of the tax year in whichyou start work, up to the date you start work, and for the 2 previous taxyears. Pre-entry credits are not given if you pay Class J contributionsonly in your job.

These credits may help you to qualify for Illness, Jobseeker’s, Maternity orAdoptive Benefit as soon as you have worked and paid PRSIcontributions for 52 weeks. Pre-entry credits are normally given onlyonce.

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Social Insurance

Student credits

Credits may be given for periods in full-time education, for example, thirdlevel, if a person:

• worked before starting the course and paid PRSI Class A,

• started the course before reaching age 23,

and

• has started in their first full-time insurable employment at Class A.

When you apply for student credits, you need to supply:

• written confirmation from your school or college stating that you werea student there, and

• the dates you attended the school or college.

Student credits are given only once and are not counted towards futureentitlement to social welfare pensions.

Credits while sick or unemployed

Credits are automatically given for any period you get Illness Benefit,Jobseeker’s Benefit, Health and Safety Benefit, Maternity or AdoptiveBenefit, Invalidity Pension, State Pension (Transition) or Carer’s Benefit.You may also get credits for periods of Injury Benefit, Jobseeker’sAllowance, Pre-Retirement Allowance or Carer’s Allowance, or time spenton an education or part-time work scheme for unemployed people.Credits may also be awarded under the Homemakers Scheme. SeeSection 4.5 for more information.

If you are sick or unemployed, you may qualify for credits even if you arenot getting Illness Benefit or a jobseeker’s payment. This can happen, forexample, if you:

• do not have enough PRSI contributions to qualify for benefit,

• have used up your benefit, or

• cannot get jobseeker’s payments because of a trade dispute.

If you are unemployed you may be entitled to sign for credits, providedyou can show you are capable of and available for employment andactively seeking employment, at your local Social Welfare Office.

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SW 4

To get credits while you are ill and unfit for work, you must send regularmedical evidence for as long as your illness lasts to the address below orhand in your medical certificate at your local Social Welfare Office.

Department of Social and Family AffairsP.O. Box 1650Dublin 1

You may also get credits if you take unpaid statutory maternity,adoptive, carer’s or parental leave. See information booklet SW12for further details.

Credits for civil and public servants who pay PRSI at Class B,C or D

If you have to give up work due to ill health and you are likely to remainill for some time, you should send medical certificates once a year for aslong as you remain ill or until you reach age 66 to Records UpdateSection, Department of Social and Family Affairs, Floor 1, GandonHouse, Amiens Street, Dublin 1.

You may get a credit for each week that you are sick. Together, thesecredits will help keep your insurance record up-to-date and will protectyour right to a Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension or aGuardian’s Payment (Contributory) in the future. See informationbooklet SW 20 for more details.

Civil and public servants are also entitled to credits for unpaid statutorymaternity, adoptive, carers or parental leave.

Volunteer development workers

If you are a volunteer development worker you may also get credits. Seeinformation booklet SW15 for more details.

Training course credits

You can also get credits when you attend training courses with FÁS, Cert,Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) or TEAGASC, provided you were employed atPRSI Class A or getting ‘credits’, before attending the course.

More information

For further details on credits see information booklet SW 12.33

Social Insurance

2.9 Worksharing

Worksharing is an arrangement to work a pattern of reduced hours in linewith an employer’s staff guidelines.

Examples might be working 9 to 3 each day or working 4 days one weekand 3 the next.

Worksharing may affect the :

• amount of PRSI you (and your employer) pay or

• number of PRSI contributions you are awarded, so affecting your rightto benefits and payments in the future.

The contribution week starts on 1 January, so its starts on a different dayof the week each year.

The contribution week starts on 1 January, so it starts on a different dayof the week each year.Example

A person’s worksharing arrangement means they work one week onand one week off.Year Contribution Week2006 Sunday to Saturday2007 Monday to Sunday

In 2006 and 2007 a worksharer working Monday to Friday, week on,week off will work for only 26 contribution weeks. During their weekoff, a worksharer is not entitled to credit as they are not unemployedbut may be able to avail of Homemakers Credits (see SW 1) whichwill maintain their entitlement to State Pension (Contributory). Theymay also be entitled to additional PRSI contributions on the basis ofentitlement to public holidays under the Organisation of WorkingTime Act 1997. But if the person works a split week starting on aWednesday or Thursday they will be awarded 52 contributionsbecause they work at least 2 days in one contribution week and atleast 2 days in the next.

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2.10 Personal Retirement Savings Accounts

Under the Pensions (Amendment) Act 2002, people who are notmembers of an occupational pension scheme, including employees, self-employed, homemakers, carers and unemployed people may nowopen Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs).

These are a flexible, low cost pension option, but as with other pensionschemes, the benefits you receive depend on what you paid or youremployer has paid and the investment return on those contributions.

The Pensions Board and Revenue are jointly responsible for approvingPRSA products. An employer who is not operating a pension schemewith retirement benefits or whose scheme limits membership mustprovide access to at least one Standard PRSA for employees and forcontributions to be deducted from the employee’s salary.

A Standard PRSA is:

• a personal pension plan that you take out with an authorised PRSA provider,

• like an investment account used to save for your retirement,

• a type of defined contribution scheme where you can make regular contributions to your pension, which are tax deductible depending onyour age up to certain limits at the marginal income tax rate. Employees also gain relief from PRSI and the Health Contribution,

• a flexible pension that allows you to increase, decrease or stop your contributions at any time,

• a portable pension that can be carried from job to job or transferred to another PRSA provider,

• a personal pension plan providing you with regular information to all you monitor its performance and suitability to your needs.

If you have a Standard PRSA you cannot be charged more than 5% onthe contributions you pay and 1% a year on the managed funds. YourPRSA provider can charge as little or as much as they like, up to thesemaximum levels.

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Social Insurance

For more information on Personal Retirement Saving Accounts contact:

The Pensions BoardVerschoyle House28/30 Mount Street Dublin 2

Telephone: (01) 6131900Email: [email protected]

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SW 4

This section explains social insurance for people working abroad. It covers:

• Social Insurance and EC Regulations for workers

• Bilateral Social Security Agreements.

Section 3Benefits abroad


37

3.1 Social Insurance and EC Regulations

The EC Regulations apply to people who travel and work within theEuropean Economic Area (EEA). The Regulations allow workers tocombine periods of social insurance in any of the EEA countries to helpthem qualify for a benefit or pension.

Countries covered by EC Regulations

• Austria • Belgium • Czech Republic• Denmark • Estonia • Finland• France • Germany • Greece• Hungary • Iceland • Ireland• Italy • Latvia • Liechtenstein• Lithuania • Luxembourg • Malta• Norway • Poland • Portugal• Republic of Cyprus (Cyprus South) • Slovakia• Slovenia • Spain • Sweden• Switzerland* • the Netherlands• the United Kingdom (excluding the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man).*Certain limits apply to Jobseeker’s Benefit in relation to Switzerland.

EC Regulations make sure that if you go to work in any of the abovecountries:

• you receive the same treatment in social security matters as nationalsof those countries,

• you can use periods of social insurance to help you qualify for socialsecurity benefits here,

and

• you and your family can receive the benefits to which you areentitled.

The EC Regulations in general only cover:

• workers and people getting social security benefits who are nationals* ofany of these countries and people with the status of stateless peopleor refugees living permanently in any of these countries,and

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• the dependants and survivors of these people (regardless of theirnationality).

* It has been agreed that cover will soon be extended to non-EUnationals who have worked in another EU country.

Benefits covered:

The Regulations cover:

• Illness and Maternity Benefits (including health care),

• Benefits for an accident at work or occupational disease,

• Invalidity Pension,

• State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Transition),

• Widow’s or Widower’s and Guardian’s Payment (Contributory),

• Jobseeker’s Benefit,

• Child Benefit,

• Bereavement Grant, and

• Treatment Benefit.

In general, Child Benefit is paid in the EU country where you areemployed regardless of where your family lives.

Note

Apply for a European Health Insurance Card if you are intendingto travel on a temporary stay to another EU member state, EEAmember state or Switzerland. The Card, which replaced the oldform E111, means that you can get necessary healthcare in thepublic system of any of the countries if you become ill orinjured while on temporary stay there.

If you already have either a medical card or a Drugs PaymentScheme card you can apply for the European Health InsuranceCard online at www.ehic.ie. If not, you can apply directly atyour local Health Service Executive office. More information isavailable on www.ehic.ie or from your local Health ServiceExecutive office.

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Benefits abroad

Working in another country covered by EC Regulations

In general, if you take up work in another country covered by ECRegulations, you will no longer be covered by the Irish PRSI system. Thesocial security laws of that country will apply to you instead.

If you go to work in another country covered by EC Regulations, you should bring the following forms with you:

These forms contain details of your Irish PRSI record. You have toproduce them if you claim benefit abroad.

To receive these forms, you need to provide the following informationand documentation:

• full name,

• PPS No.,

• Irish address,

• forwarding address,

• your P45 form(s) for work in the current tax year, and

• your P60 for the last tax year.

You should apply for your E104 or E301 forms, before you go, from:

International Records SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeFloor 2Oisín HousePearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 704 3000

Form Needed for:

E104 Sickness Benefit purposesE301 Jobseeker’s Benefit purposes

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Returning from another country covered by EC Regulations

When you are returning from one of these countries, you should apply tothe appropriate agency in that country for your E301 and E104 forms.These will show a record of your contributions while abroad and will helpspeed up the payment of benefits under EC Regulations.

Transfer of jobseeker’s payments abroad

If you have been getting Jobseeker’s Benefit in Ireland for at least 4 weeks and wish to go to a country covered by EC Regulations to lookfor work, you can receive this payment abroad for up to 78 days. Toobtain this you must inform the office where you ‘sign-on’ at least 4weeks before you leave so that the necessary arrangements may bemade in time.

In the other country you must ‘sign-on’ within 7 days of the date you lastsigned on in your local Social Welfare Office. For more information ontransferring your Jobseeker’s Benefit, contact International RecordsSection at the address on page 38.

Posted Workers

Your employer may send you abroad to work temporarily in which casethe following information shows what happens to your social securityrecord.

Posted in a country covered by EC Regulations

If you are sent by your employer in Ireland to work temporarily (up to 12months normally) in a country covered by EC Regulations you pay IrishPRSI while you are away. In this case, you must bring a Form E101 withyou. You can get a form E101 from:



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Benefits abroad

Posted in a country not covered by EC Regulations or a BilateralSocial Security AgreementIf you are sent by your employer to work temporarily in a country notcovered by EC Regulations or in one that does not have a Bilateral SocialSecurity Agreement with Ireland (see page 41 for details), you remainliable for Irish PRSI for up to 12 months.

If the work lasts more than 12 months, you or the employer shouldcontact PRSI Special Collection Section at the address below as youmay pay Irish PRSI for longer than 12 months.

Workers from abroad posted temporarily in IrelandA worker who usually lives in a country not covered by EC Regulations orone that does not have a Bilateral Social Security Agreement with Irelandand who is sent to work temporarily in Ireland by an employer notordinarily registered in Ireland, may not pay PRSI for up to 12 months.

Further details and relevant forms on posted workers can be obtainedfrom:



Email: [email protected]

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3.2 Bilateral Social Security Agreements with other countries

Ireland has special social security agreements with the followingcountries:— Canada (see information leaflet SW 84)— Australia (see information leaflet SW 87)

— the United States of America (see information leaflet SW 91)

— New Zealand (see information leaflet SW 95)

— Québec (see information leaflet SW 96)

Ireland also has agreements with the United Kingdom which covers non-EU nationals and residents of the Isle of Man.

These agreements are currently being updated and will be extended tocover people moving between Ireland and the Channel Islands.

These agreements protect the pension entitlements of Irish people who go to work in these countries and they protect workers from thosecountries who work in Ireland.

They allow workers to combine periods of Irish social insurance andwhere provided for, periods of residence or contributions in the secondcountry when applying for a pension.

They also include arrangements for posted workers on short workassignments by deciding which country’s social security legislation willapply.

Payments covered

The Agreements cover the following Irish payments:

• State Pension (Contributory),

• State Pension (Transition),


• Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension,

• Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), and

• Bereavement Grant.

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Benefits abroad

A person may qualify for a payment from both Ireland and one or all ofthese countries at the same time.

For details of the payments from countries covered by Bilateral SocialSecurity Agreements, see individual information leaflets listed on page41.

Extra benefits

If you receive an Irish or social security pension from any of thesecountries and you live in Ireland, you may qualify for the following extrabenefits under the Irish social security system, if you meet certainconditions.

The extra benefits are:

• Fuel Allowance

• Free Travel

• Household Benefits Package (electricity, natural gas, bottled gas refillallowance, free television licence and telephone allowance).

These extra benefits are outlined in Section 10.

You can get more information about these agreements from:

International Records SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeFloor 2Oisín HousePearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: Dublin (01) 704 3000

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SW 4

This section gives details of the different payments for retired orolder people, it outlines:

• State Pension (Transition)

• State Pension (Contributory)

• State Pension (Non-Contributory)

• Pre-Retirement Allowance

• Homemaker’s Scheme.

It also advises you on how to protect your social welfare andoccupational pension rights.

Section 4Retired or older people


45

4.1 State Pension (Transition)

State Pension (Transition) is a social insurance payment made to peoplereaching age 65, who are retired and who satisfy certain social insuranceconditions. The pension is not means tested or affected by other incomeyou may have such as an occupational pension.

State Pension (Transition) was previously known as RetirementPension.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for a State Pension (Transition) if you:

• are aged 65,• are retired from insurable employment*, and• satisfy the social insurance contribution conditions.

* You do not need to give up employment. You can be employed part-time and earn less than €38 a week paying PRSI at Class J, or beself-employed and earn less than €3,174 a year.

The retirement condition ceases to apply when you reach age 66.

Social insurance contribution conditions

To qualify for a standard rate State Pension (Transition) the followingmust apply to you:

• you started paying social insurance contributions before reaching age 55,

• you have either:

- 260 full rate paid contributions, if you reach age 65 by 5 April 2012, or- 520 full rate paid contributions, if you reach age 65 on or after

6 April 2012,

• up to the end of the tax year before you reach age 65, you have a yearly average of at least:

- 24 full rate paid or credited contributions since you first started paying social insurance (to get the minimum amount of pension),

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SW 4

or- 48 full rate paid or credited contributions from 1979 (to get the

maximum amount of pension).

Pensions Update

If you reach pension age on or after 6 April 2012 you must have 520 full-rate employment paid contributions, or if you have at least 260 full-rate paid contributions, you can pay the balance of the 520 bymaking high rate voluntary contributions.

You can make up the yearly average from high rate voluntarycontributions and full rate paid contributions, which are PRSI at ClassesA, E, F, G, H and N. While classes F, G and N no longer exist, you can stilluse any contributions paid at these classes for pension purposes.

Social insurance contributions paid before 1953 will be taken intoaccount only if you need to show that you started paying social insurancebefore age 55 or that you have enough full rate contributions. You canonly count your yearly average from 1953 onwards.

Please note that PRSI contributions paid by self-employed people atClass S are not reckonable for State Pension (Transition) purposes.

See information booklet SW 18 for full details.

Credited and voluntary contributions

You should try to keep your social insurance record up to date tomaximise your possible pension. If you leave insurable employment andyou do not qualify for a social welfare payment, you may get socialwelfare credits or you may be able to pay voluntary contributions.

Certain people on a reduced rate State Pension (Transition) may qualifyfor State Pension (Contributory) at a higher rate on reaching age 66. Ifthis applies to your case, you will be told to apply for an State Pension(Contributory) at age 66. Otherwise, you will continue to get the StatePension (Transition)

Voluntary contributions and credits are explained in Sections 2.7 and 2.8.

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Retired or older people

Reduced rate pensions

If you fail to qualify for a standard State Pension (Transition), you may stillqualify for:

— a pro-rata or proportional pension, if you have paid socialinsurance in a country covered by EC Regulations or paid socialinsurance or lived in a country with which Ireland has a BilateralSocial Security Agreement (see Section 3 for full details of thesecountries), or

— a mixed insurance pro-rata pension, if you have a mixture of full rate (PRSI Classes A, E, F, G, H and N) and modified rate (PRSI Classes B, C and D) social insurance contributions.

See information booklet SW 18 for more details and examples.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for your qualified adult or qualified children, if any. See Section1.2 for details.

The rates of State Pension (Transition) are shown in the Rates of Paymentbooklet SW 19.

Additional increases

With your State Pension (Transition), you may get the following additionalweekly increases:

— increase if you live mainly or entirely alone: for which you mustapply at age 66 or over (See Section 10.8 for details).

— increase if you are over 80 which you get automatically at age 80,

— increase in your payment which you get automatically if you liveon one of a number of off-shore islands (See Section 10.9 fordetails).

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How do I get my payment?

You can get State Pension (Transition) by direct payment into an accountin a financial institution. It can also be paid by a book of payable ordersthat can be cashed weekly at a chosen post office.

Going abroad

You can get State Pension (Transition) abroad. If going abroad, pleasecontact the Social Welfare Services Office before you leave (at theaddress on page 50).

Extra benefits

If you are getting State Pension (Transition), you may get:

• assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme,

• a medical card (from your regional office of the Health Service Executive),

• the Household Benefits Package, or

• Free Travel, if you are aged 66 or over and living in the State,

• Fuel Allowance, from the end of September to mid April subject to certain conditions.

These are explained in Sections 10 and 11.

When and how do I apply?

You should apply 3 months before reaching age 65 or the date ofretirement, if retiring between age 65 and 66. However, if you worked in acountry covered by EC Regulations or a country with which Ireland has aBilateral Social Security Agreement, you should apply 6 months beforereaching age 65 so that your application may be decided in time.

You can get an application form from any post office, local Social Welfare Office or from the address overleaf:

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Social Welfare Services OfficeDepartment of Social and Family AffairsCollege RoadSligo

Telephone LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 or353 71 916 9800 from Northern Ireland or overseas

For further details see information booklet SW 18 or contact SocialWelfare Services Office at the address above.

Increase for a qualified adult

If you have a spouse or partner you may receive an increase for themsubject to certain conditions. See Section 1.2 for details.

If you get an increase in your pension for a qualified adult, they mayqualify for a pension in their own right:

— State Pension (Transition) at age 65, or

— State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension (Non-Contributory) at age 66.

This pension may be higher than the qualified adult increase you aregetting. The qualified adult should apply for a pension in their own rightat age 65 or 66 if they think they may qualify.

As the State Pension (Non-Contributory) is subject to a means test, wewill consider any other income belonging to you or the qualified adultwhen deciding their entitlement to this payment.

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4.2 State Pension (Contributory)

State Pension (Contributory) is a social insurance payment made topeople age 66 or over who satisfy certain social insurance conditions. Thepension is not means-tested or affected by other income you may havesuch as an occupational pension.

State Pension (Contributory) was previous known as Old AgeContributory Pension.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for State Pension (Contributory) if you:

• are aged 66 or over, and

• satisfy the social insurance contribution conditions.

You can continue to work full-time or part-time and get a State Pension(Contributory).

Social insurance contribution conditions

To qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), the following must apply toyou.

• you started paying social insurance contributions before reaching age 56,

• you have either:

- 260 full rate employment contributions if you reach pension age by 5 April 2012, or

- 520 full rate paid contributions, if you reach pension age on or after 6 April 2012.

• up to the end of the tax year before you reach age 66, you have a yearly average of at least:

- 10 full rate paid or credited contributions since you first started paying social insurance (to get the minimum amount of pension), or

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- 48 full rate paid or credited contributions since you started paying social insurance (to get the maximum amount of pension).

Pension update

If you reach pension age on or after 6 April 2012 you must have 520 fullrate paid contributions, or if you have at least 260 full rate paidcontributions, you can pay the balance of the 520 by making high ratevoluntary contributions.

You can make up the yearly average from high rate and special ratevoluntary contributions and full rate paid contributions, which are PRSI atclasses A, E, F, G, H, N and S. While Classes F, G and N no longer exist,you can still use any contributions paid at these classes for pensionpurposes.

Class S PRSI is paid by self-employed people and provides cover for StatePension (Contributory). If you were self-employed and started payingPRSI on 6 April 1988 (the date PRSI was introduced for self employedpeople), your entitlement to State Pension (Contributory) may be basedon your PRSI record from that date.

Social insurance contributions paid before 1953 will be taken intoaccount only if you need to show that you started paying social insurancebefore reaching age 56 or that you have enough full-rate contributions.You can only count your yearly average from 1953 onwards.

Special arrangements for homemakers may help people who work in thehome to qualify for an State Pension (Contributory) (see Section 4.5 fordetails on the Homemaker’s Scheme).

See information booklet SW18 for full details.

Credited contributions and voluntary contributions

You should try to keep your social insurance record up to date tomaximise your possible pension. If you leave insurable employment andyou do not qualify for a social welfare payment, you may get socialwelfare credits or you may be able to pay voluntary contributions.

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Reduced rate pension

If you fail to qualify for a standard State Pension (Contributory), you maystill qualify for:

— a pro-rata or proportional pension if you have paid social insurancein a country covered by EC Regulations or paid social insurance orlived in a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social SecurityAgreement (see Section 3 for details of these countries), or

— a mixed insurance pro-rata pension, if you have a mixture of fullrate (PRSI Classes A, E, F, G, H, N and S) and modified rate(PRSI Classes B, C and D) social insurance contributions, or

— a special half-rate pension for people with pre-1953 contributions.

See information booklet SW 18 for full details and examples.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for qualified adult or qualified children, if any, (See Section 1.2for details).

The rates of State Pension (Contributory) are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

Additional increasesWith your State Pension (Contributory), you may get the followingadditional weekly increases:

— increase if you live alone for which you must apply at age 66 or over (see Section 10.8 for details),

— increase which you get automatically at age 80,

— increase which you get automatically if you live on certain islandsoff the coast of Ireland. (see Section 10.9 for details).

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You can get State Pension (Contributory) by direct payment into anaccount in a financial institution. It can also be paid by a book of payableorders that can be cashed weekly at a chosen post office.

Going abroad

You can get State Pension (Contributory) abroad. If going abroad, pleasecontact the Social Welfare Services Office (at the address below) before you leave.

Extra benefits

If you are living in the State you are entitled to Free Travel. You may also qualify for:

• the Household Benefits Package,


• Fuel Allowance, from early-October to late April subject to certain conditions, (see Section 10.4 for details), and

• a medical card (from your regional office of the Health Service Executive).



You should apply 3 months before reaching age 66. However, if youworked in a country covered by EC Regulations or a country with whichIreland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement, you should apply 6 months before reaching age 66 so that your application may be decided in time. You can get an application form from your post office, local SocialWelfare Office or from:


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Telephone LoCall 1890 50 00 00 - from the Republic of Ireland or

353 71 916 9800 from Northern Ireland or overseas

Increase for a qualified adult

If you have a spouse or partner you may receive an increase for them subjectto certain conditions, (see Section 1.2 for details).

If you are getting an increase in your pension for a qualified adult, they mayqualify for a pension in their own right, that is:

• State Pension (Transition) at age 65, or

• State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension (Non-Contributory) at age 66.

This pension may be higher than the qualified adult increase you aregetting. The qualified adult should apply for a pension in their own rightat least 3 months before reaching age 65 or 66.

As the State Pension (Non-Contributory) is subject to a means test, wewill consider any other income belonging to you or the qualified adultwhen deciding their entitlement.

For further details see information booklet SW 18 or contact SocialWelfare Services Office at the address across.

4.3 State Pension (Non-Contributory)

If you do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory), you may bemeans-tested for a State Pension (Non-Contributory). If you satisfy thequalifying conditions for both pensions, you will get the higher of thetwo.

How do I qualify?You will qualify if you:

• are aged 66 or over,

• are habitually resident in the State, (please see information booklet SW 108)

• have a valid Personal Public Service (PPS) Number, and55


• satisfy a means test.

State Pension (Non-Contributory) is not normally paid outside the State.However, if you are getting this pension, you may continue to get it for upto 5 years in Northern Ireland or until you get a similar payment from therelevant authority there, if sooner.

Means test

To qualify for a payment you must satisfy a means test. This is a way ofchecking whether you have enough means to support yourself and whatamount of payment, if any, you may qualify for. Your means are anyincome belonging to you or your spouse or partner. This includesproperty (except your family home) or an asset that can provide you withan income. If you are married or cohabiting, the joint means of you andyour spouse or partner are divided in two to give your individual means.

What counts as means?Your means include:

• cash income,


• the value of any savings, investments and property (except your own home),

• the yearly value of any income you or your spouse or partner have from owning or leasing a farm of land.

What does not count as means?

Some of the main items which do not count as means include:

• your own home,

• the first €20,000 of savings (for a single person) or first €40,000 (for a couple),

• any payment from the Department of Agriculture and Food under theFarm Early Retirement Scheme. (However, your Farm Early Retirement Scheme Pension may be reduced by the amount of your social welfare pension),

• any payment from the Department of Social and Family Affairs,

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• rent income from a person who lives with you, if otherwise you wouldlive alone,

• the proceeds of the sale of your home of up to €190,500 if you move into more suitable accommodation (see page 56).

How do you assess my savings and investments?

The actual income from investments and money in a savings account isnot taken as your means. Instead we add together the investment items(listed below) and use a formula (see below) to work out your weeklymeans:

• cash value of investments and property (except your own home),

• money in a savings account, and

• cash-in-hand.

If you are married or cohabiting with another person as husband andwife, we will apply this formula to half your joint savings and investments.

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Capital: Weekly means assessed:

First €20,000 Nil€20,000 - €30,000 €1 per €1,000€30,000 - €40,000 €2 per €1,000Over €40,000 €4 per €1,000

What happens if I save part of my pension each week?

If you qualify for a State Pension (Non-Contributory), the rateof payment you receive will be set at a level that should enableyou to have an adequate standard of living. We would expectyou to spend all or most of your pension each week in meetingyour normal day-to-day living expenses. However, if youchoose to save part of your pension, those savings will bemeans-tested in the same way as savings from any other source(e.g. from earnings, from an occupational pension or from aninheritance). Depending upon the amount of savings youaccumulate from all sources, this could result in a reduction in(or withdrawal of) your pension.

Income from the sale of your home

If you sell your home, to move to more suitable accommodation, we mayexclude from the means test up to €190,500 of the sale proceeds incertain cases. This only applies when you sell your home and either:

• buy other accommodation,

• rent other accommodation,

• move into a private nursing home registered under the 1990Health (Nursing Homes) Act,

• move in with a person who is caring for you and receives a Carer’s Payment, or

• move to special or sheltered housing in the voluntary co-operative, statutory or private sector.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and if you aremarried or cohabiting an increase for your spouse or partner as long asthey are under age 66 and not getting a social welfare payment in theirown right. The amount of the qualified adult increase for a spouse orpartner changes in line with your personal rate.

You may also get extra increases for any qualified children (see Section1.2 for details).

The rates of State Pension (Non-Contributory) are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

Additional increasesWith your State Pension (Non-Contributory), you may get the followingadditional weekly increases:

— increase for living mainly or entirely alone for which you must apply at age 66 or over (see Section 10.8 for details),

— increase which you get automatically at age 80,

— increase which you get automatically if you live on certain islandsoff the coast of Ireland, (see Section 10.9 for details).

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State Pension (Non-Contributory) can be paid one week in advance bydirect payment into an account in a financial institution. It can also bepaid one week in advance by a book of payable orders that can becashed weekly at a chosen post office.

If you are unable to collect the payment yourself at a post office, you maynominate another person to collect it for you.

How long does payment last?

You may continue to get State Pension (Non-Contributory), as long asyou satisfy the qualifying conditions.

Extra benefits

If you are living in the State, you are entitled to Free Travel. You may also qualify for:



• Fuel Allowance, from early-October to late April subject to certain conditions, (see Section 10.4 for details), and




You should apply at least 3 months before reaching age 66. If you applyafter you reach age 66, you may only receive payment from the date wereceive your application. You can get an application form from any postoffice, local Social Welfare Office or from:


Telephone: LoCall 1890 50 00 00 from the Republic of Ireland or00353 71 916 9800 - from Northern Ireland or overseas59


See information booklet SW 16 for further details or contact StatePension (Non-Contributory) Section at the above address.

4.4 Pre-Retirement Allowance

Pre-Retirement Allowance is a payment that allows you, if you are aged55 or over, to retire from the labour force and receive a weekly allowance.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for Pre-Retirement Allowance, if you:


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Pension for your spouse or partner from age 66

If you qualify for a pension and are awarded an Increase for aQualified Adult (IQA) in respect of your spouse or partner,please note that they may be entitled to claim a State Pension(Non-Contributory) in their own right on reaching age 66. If so,your IQA will cease. However, it will be more financiallybeneficial to you as a couple if each of you get a pension in yourown right.


The Old Age Non-Contributory Pension will only be payable upto 28 September 2006. A new pension scheme to be known asState Pension (Non-Contributory) will be introduced with effectfrom Friday, 29 September 2006. This new scheme willincorporate a number of means-tested payments for peopleaged 66 or over, including Old Age Non-Contributory Pension.If you are getting Old Age Non-Contributory Pension prior to 29September 2006 you will automatically be transferred to theState Pension (Non-Contributory).

• retire from the workforce,

• live in the State,

• satisfy a means test, and

• have received Jobseekers Allowance for 390 days or Jobseekers Benefit for 390 days and have shown you qualify for Jobseekers Allowance,or

• are no longer entitled to One-Parent Family Payment or Carer’s Allowance,or

• are separated from your spouse and have not been employed or self-employed for the 15 months immediately before applying for Pre-Retirement Allowance.

Means test

The means test is largely the same as the means test for JobseekersAssistance. It is a way of checking if you have enough means to supportyourself and what amount of payment , if any, you may qualify for.


Your means include:

• cash income,

• the value of investments and any property (excluding the family home),

• any assets that could provide you with an income, such as an occupational pension or social security benefits from another country,and

• the value of savings, except the first €20,000.

If you are married or cohabiting your means include any income from anysource belonging to your spouse or partner.

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When considering your means from savings and investments, we addtogether the following items and use a formula (see below) to work outyour means:

• cash value of investments and property (excluding the family home),


• cash in hand.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for a qualified adult or qualified children, if any (see Section 1.2for details).

The maximum rates of Pre-Retirement Allowance are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.


You can get Pre-Retirement Allowance each week by direct payment intoan account in a financial institution or by postdraft at your chosen postoffice.


You can get Pre-Retirement Allowance up to the date you qualify forState Pension (Transition) (age 65) or State Pension (age 66) as long as:

• you are not insurably employed or self-employed, and

• you continue to satisfy the means test.

Note

If your situation changes, you should tell your local SocialWelfare Office immediately.



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Extra benefits

If you qualify for a Pre-Retirement Allowance, you may, subject to certainconditions, also qualify for:

• Fuel Allowance,





You should apply for Pre-Retirement Allowance when you reach age 55.You may get application forms from your local Social Welfare Office, postoffice or the Department LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25.

For more information on Pre-Retirement Allowance, see informationbooklet SW 80 or contact your local Social Welfare Office.

4.5 Homemaker’s Scheme

The Homemaker’s Scheme can help you to qualify for a State Pension(Contributory) when you reach age 66.

One of the conditions of the State Pension (Contributory) is that aperson must have a minimum yearly average number of paid or creditedPRSI contributions from the time they enter social insurance until theyreach pension age.

If you leave work or have left work to care for any child(ren) under age 12or an incapacitated child or adult who needs full time care and attentionwe will ignore the resulting gap in the your record when working out theyearly average of PRSI contributions for your State Pension(Contributory). This arrangement only applies to breaks from work takenafter 6 April 1994.

To benefit from the Homemaker’s Scheme, you must have worked andpaid PRSI previously (or do so in the future) at Classes A, E, H or S.

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Who qualifies as a homemaker?

You will qualify as a homemaker, if you:

• permanently live in the State,

• are under age 66,

— have been in insurable employment or self-employment (on or afterage 16 and before age 56),

— do not work full time (however, you can work and earn less than €38gross per week), and

— live with the person(s) you are looking after, or

— do not live with the caree, you must satisfy the following conditions:

i) a direct system of communication must exist between the carers residence and the person being cared for e.g. by telephone or alarm system,

ii) the person being cared for must not already be receiving full-time care and attention within their own home from a personother than the applicant.

What is a homemaking year?

A homemaking year is a year in which you are out of the workforce forthe complete contribution year (January to December).

We may disregard up to a maximum of 20 homemaking years for StatePension (Contributory) purposes.

Who must I be caring for?

You must be providing full-time care and attention for:

• a child(ren) under age 12 (see information booklet SW 1 for fulldetails),

or

• an incapacitated child or adult who needs full time care and attention.

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The incapacitated person must need:

• continuous supervision to avoid harming themselves,

or

• continuous supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day with their normal personal needs.

How does the scheme work?

Homemaking years are awarded for all full contribution years you spendcaring.

Homemaker’s credits are awarded:

• up to the end of the contribution year during which you become a homemaker,

• up to the date you stop being a carer, if this happens during a contribution year.

You can use credits given under the Homemaker’s Scheme only for theState Pension (Contributory).

Who should register?

If you are getting Child Benefit and are providing the child(ren) with full-time care or are getting Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit, there isno need to register. Your application for Child Benefit or Carer’sAllowance or Benefit will be treated as an application to be registered asa homemaker. This information will be noted automatically on yourinsurance record.

If you are not getting any of the above payments and are caring for achild or adult as specified above, you should register as a homemaker.

Note

If you do not return to work after you cease to be ahomemaker, you may become a Voluntary Contributor. SeeSection 2.7 for more details.

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When should I register?

You should register before the end of the contribution year following the year in which you first become a homemaker.

If you do not register within the time limit you may lose someentitlement.

See information booklet SW 1 for further details.

To request an application form or information booklet contact your local Social Welfare Office or phone our LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25.

4.6 Protecting your occupational pension and PRSA rights

The Pensions Board

The Pensions Board’s (An Bord Pinsean) main functions by law are:

• monitoring and supervising the operation of the Pensions Act and general pension developments including Personal Retirement Savings Account (PRSA) products and their providers,

• issuing guidelines and codes of practice on the duties of pension scheme trustees and of PRSA providers, and

• advising the Minister for Social and Family Affairs on the Pensions Actand general pension matters.

Note

If you were Homemaking during the period 6 April 1994 to 31December 2004, you must register by 31 December 2005

Example

You become a homemaker from: Register before:

1 January 2004 to 31 December 2004 31 December 2005

1 January 2005 to 31 December 2005 31 December 2006

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Occupational pension schemes (also known as company pensionschemes) and PRSAs must register with the Board and must pay anannual fee to meet the Board’s costs. In carrying out its functions, theBoard can investigate the operation of pension schemes on behalf ofconcerned pension scheme members, prosecute for breaches of thePensions Act and take court action against trustees to protect schememembers and their rights.

The Pensions BoardVerschoyle House28-30 Lower Mount StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 613 1900LoCall: 1890 65 65 65Email: [email protected]: www.pensionsboard.ie

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Qualifying conditions forour schemes change

from time to time.Always check with your

Local Social Welfare Office to see if qualifiying conditions have

changed orcontact our Information Services

at (01) 704 3000

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This section gives details of payments available to support families.

It outlines:

• Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension

• Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension

• Widowed Parent Grant

• One-Parent Family Payment

Your duty to support your family is also covered.

Section 5Widows, Widowers and One-Parent Families


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5.1 Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension

Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension is a payment for widows andwidowers. It is not means-tested and so is not affected by other incomeyou might have such as earnings, an occupational pension or a pensionfrom your late spouse’s employment. If you are getting a Widow’s orWidower’s Contributory Pension you do not have to pay the 2% HealthContribution.

A separate pension is available if your spouse died from an accident atwork or an occupational disease (see Section 7.10 for details).

How do I qualify?

You may qualify if:

• you are widowed,

• you are divorced from your late spouse and have not remarried,

• you are not cohabiting (living with someone as husband and wife),

and

• you satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions,

or

• your late spouse got either a standard State Pension (Transition) ora standard State Pension (Contributory) that included an increasefor you as a qualified adult or would have included such anincrease except that you were getting a State Pension (Non-Contributory), Blind Pension or a Carer’s Allowance in yourown right.

Note

If you are widowed and you do not qualify for a Widow’s orWidower’s Contributory Pension, you should apply for a One-Parent Family Payment if you have dependent children, ora Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension if you donot have dependent children.

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PRSI contribution conditions

A Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension may be based on eitheryour own or your late spouse’s PRSI record. You cannot combine the tworecords to qualify.

Whichever record you use must have:

• 156 weeks paid PRSI contributions,and

• a yearly average of 39 paid or credited PRSI contributions over the 3or 5 tax years (whichever helps you achieve the yearly average)immediately before reaching 66 or immediately before your spousedied, if earlier,or

• for a minimum pension, a yearly average of 24 paid or credited PRSIcontributions since starting work or for a maximum pension, a yearlyaverage of 48 paid or credited PRSI contributions.

NoteThe social insurance record is based on PRSI contributions paid orcredited to the date of reaching 66 (the current pension age) or the dateyour spouse died, if earlier.

PRSI contribution Classes A, B, C, D, E, H and S count.

You may also use social insurance contributions paid and credited underthe Widows’ and Orphans’ Pension Acts 1935 to 1952.

Note

If you were widowed before but remarried and either do notqualify for a pension on the death of your second spouse orqualify for a pension at a lower rate than you received beforeyou remarried, you may requalify for a pension at the rate youreceived before you remarried.

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Widows, Widowers and One-Parent Families

Social insurance or residence outside Ireland

If you or your late spouse worked in a country covered by EC Regulationsor a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement,you may combine your or your late spouse’s social insurance record inthat country with the Irish insurance record to help you qualify for areduced Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension (see Section 3).

Special partial pension

If you or your spouse paid PRSI contributions early in your career(s) andthen came back into social insurance on or from 1 April 1974 and theyearly average number of contributions is too low to qualify you for astandard pension, you may qualify for a partial Widow’s or Widower’sContributory Pension based on a reduced yearly average. However, toqualify this average must be at least 5 PRSI contributions a year.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for your qualified children. You may get extra weekly allowancesif you are:

• aged 66 or over,

• aged 66 or over and living alone,

• aged 66 or over and living on an offshore island, or

• aged 80 or over.

The rates of Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW19.

Your pension is not affected by any other income, whether fromemployment or another source, but it is liable for income tax. You shouldcontact your local tax office for details.

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Can I get another social welfare payment while receiving aWidow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension?

You can only receive one social welfare payment at a time except in the following circumstances.

In addition to your Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension you may get, for a limited period, half the personal rate of:


• Illness Benefit,

• Health and Safety Benefit,

• Occupational Injury Benefit,

• Maternity Benefit, or

• Adoptive Benefit.

If you are getting an Invalidity Pension and you satisfy the conditions for a Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension, you may receive, insteadof Invalidity Pension, half the personal rate of Illness Benefit to which youare entitled, for a limited period. This is paid in addition to the Widow’sor Widower’s Contributory Pension.

If you are the guardian of an orphan, you may get Guardian’s Payment(Contributory) or Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory). Thesepayments were formerly called Orphan’s Contributory Allowance andOrphan’s Non-Contributory Payment.

NOTE

Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension is not paid inaddition to State Pension (Transition) or State Pension(Contributory).

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You can get Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension by:

• direct payment into an account in a financial institution,

or

• Electronic Information Transfer using a Social Services Card at achosen post office,

or

• a book of payable orders that you cash weekly at your chosen postoffice.


Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension is paid as long as you remainwidowed. The pension stops, however, if you remarry or live with someone as husband and wife.

Going abroad

You can receive Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension whileabroad. If you intend going abroad to live, you should continue to cashyour pension until the Friday before you leave. Then return your book to:


with details of your new address and details of the financial institutionaccount abroad where payment is to be made.

If you are already being paid by direct payment you should notify theSocial Welfare Services Office at least 4 weeks before going abroad.

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Extra benefits

If you are getting a Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension you mayalso qualify for:

• Widowed Parent Grant (see Section 5.3),

• Fuel Allowance (see Section 10.4),

• Living Alone Increase (see Section 10.8),

• Increase for living on an Island - which you get automatically if youare aged 66 or over and live on one of a number of off-shore islands(See Section 10.9 for details),

• assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme(see Section 11), and

• a medical card from your local office of the Health Service Executive.

You may also receive a Bereavement Grant (see Section 10.2), and mayqualify for Treatment Benefit (see Section 10.1).

If you are aged 66 or over and living in the State you can get free travel.You may also qualify for the Household Benefits Package.

See Section 10 for details of these extra benefits, including concessionsfor widows and widowers aged 60 to 65.


You should apply within 3 months of your spouse’s death. You can get an application form from the Department’s LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25, your local Social Welfare Office, post office or from:

Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 from the Republic of Ireland or00353 71 913 5200 from Northern Ireland or overseas.

For further details see information booklet SW 25 or contact Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension Section at the address above.

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5.2 Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension

If you are widowed and do not qualify for a Widow’s or Widower’sContributory Pension based on either your own or your late spouse’sinsurance record, you may qualify for a Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension. This is a means-tested payment and weconsider any income and capital (i.e. savings, investments, cash-in-handand the value of property you own except your own home) you havewhen working out your means.

If you have any qualified children, you may qualify for a One-ParentFamily Payment (see Section 5.4).

How do I qualify

You may qualify if you:

• are under 66 years of age*,

• have a valid Personal Public Service (PPS) Number

• satisfy a means test,

• are habitually resident in the State (see information booklet SW108),

and

• are widowed,

• are divorced from your late spouse and have not remarried,

• are not cohabiting (living with someone as husband and wife).

* If you are aged 66 or over, you may be entitled to State Pension(Contributory or Non-Contributory) - See Section 4 for more details.

Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension is not payable while youare absent from the State.

Means test

What counts as means?Your means are any income, savings or property you have (except yourfamily home) or an asset that could provide you with an income.

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The main items are:

• cash income (including occupational pensions or pensions from another country),

• the value of any property you have (except your own home) and

• the value of any investments and savings.


Some of the items that do not count as means include:

• €100 a week of earnings from employment*,

• your own home,

• the first €20,000 of savings,

• any payment from this Department,

• a certain amount of income from employment by the Health ServiceExecutive as a home help,

• Foster Child Allowance,

• income from a charity,

• rental income from a person who lives with you, if otherwise youwould live alone,

• income from providing accommodation to students studying Irish inGaeltacht areas under a scheme run by the Minister for Community,Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

* This measure will take effect from 29 September 2006.

How do you assess my savings and investments?

The actual income from investments and money in a savings account is not taken as your weekly means. Instead we add together theinvestment items (listed below) when calculating your weekly means:

• cash value of investments and property (except your home),


• cash-in-hand.

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We use the following calculation to work out your weekly means fromcapital.

See information booklet SW 60 for more details on the effect of savingson a Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension.

How much can you get?

Your payment depends on your means. The rates of Widow’s andWidower’s Non-Contributory Pension are shown in the Rates of Paymentbooklet SW 19.

If your means increase, you must tell the Department. Otherwise anoverpayment of pension may arise which you will have to repay.


Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension is paid by:

• direct payment into an account in a financial institution,

• Electronic Information Transfer (EIT) using a Social Services Card at achosen post office,

• a book of payable orders that you can cash weekly at a chosen postoffice.

How long does my payment last?

You may get Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension as long asyou satisfy the qualifying conditions. It stops, however, if you remarry or live with someone as husband and wife. Widow’s or Widower’sNon-Contributory Pension stops at age 66. You should apply for a StatePension (Non-Contributory) three months before you reach that age(See Section 4 for more details).

Capital Weekly means assessed


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Additional Increases

In addition to your Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension, youmay get half the personal rate of:



• Health and Safety Benefit,

• Occupational Injuries Benefit,

• Maternity Benefit, or

• Adoptive Benefit.

If you are getting an Invalidity Pension and you satisfy the conditions for a Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension, you may receive,instead of Invalidity Pension, half the personal rate of Illness Benefit towhich you are entitled, for a limited period. This is paid in addition tothe Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension.

If you are the guardian of an orphan, you may get Guardian’s Payment(Contributory) or Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) for them. Inthis case, you may qualify for the personal rate of One-Parent FamilyPayment instead of Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension.

Extra benefits

If you are getting a Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension youmay also qualify for:


• assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme(see Section 11), and

• a medical card from the Health Service Executive.

See Section 10 for details of these extra benefits including concessions forwidows and widowers aged 60 to 65.

You may also receive a Bereavement Grant on your own or your latespouse’s PRSI record (see Section 10.2) and may qualify for TreatmentBenefit (see Section 10.1).

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You should apply within 3 months of your spouse’s death. You can get an application form from the Department’s LoCall leaflet request line 1890 20 23 25, your local Social Welfare Office, post office, or from:

Widow’s and Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

Telephone: LoCall 1890 50 00 00 from the Republic of Ireland

or

0035371 913 52 00 from Northern Ireland or overseas.

For further details, see information booklet SW 26 or contact Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension Section at the address above.

5.3 Widowed Parent Grant

The Widowed Parent Grant is a payment following the death of a spouseto help with the income support needs of widows and widower’s withqualified children.

The payment applies to those who were widowed on or after 1 December 1999 with at least one qualified child.

How do I qualify?


• have at least one qualified child who normally lives with you, and

• qualify for or already receive,

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Note

You may get the Widowed Parent Grant as well as theBereavement Grant (see Section 10.2 for more information on Bereavement Grant).

— Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension,

— Death Benefit (Widow’s or Widower’s Pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme),

— Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension from a country covered by EC Regulations,

— Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement(see Section 3),

— One-Parent Family Payment - Widowed,

— State Pension (Non-Contributory) - Widowed - See Section 4 for more details, or

— Bereavement Grant.

Who is a qualified child?

A qualified child is:

• a child up to the age of 18 and living with you, or

• a child between ages 18 and 22 who is in full time education and isdependent upon you.


If you have applied for Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension, youdo not need to apply separately for the Widowed Parent Grant.

If you are not applying for the Widow’s or Widower’s ContributoryPension, you should complete form WPG1 and return it with anynecessary documents to

Social Welfare Services OfficeDepartment of Social and Family AffairsCollege RoadSligo.

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You get your Widowed Parent Grant by cheque.

You can get form WPG1 at your local post office, at your local SocialWelfare Office, from the LoCall Leaflet Request Line: 1890 20 23 25 oronline at www.welfare.ie.

5.4 One-Parent Family Payment

One-Parent Family Payment is a payment for men and women who arebringing up a child without the support of a partner.

If you are unmarried, widowed, a prisoner’s spouse, separated, divorcedor your marriage has been annulled and you are no longer living withyour spouse, you may apply for this payment.

If you are widowed, you may qualify for a Widow’s or Widower’sContributory Pension based on your own or your late spouse’s PRSIcontributions. If you feel you are entitled to this payment, completeapplication form WCP 1.

How do I qualify?

you may qualify if you:

• are under 66 years of age*,

• are the main carer of at least one child and that child is living withyou,

• are not cohabiting (living with someone as husband and wife),

• have earnings of €375.00 or less a week,


• live in the State.

* if you are over 66 years of age, you may be entitled to State Pension(Contributory or Non-Contributory) - See Section 4 for more details.

If you are separated or divorced, you must have:

• been separated for at least 3 months, and

• tried to get maintenance from your spouse or former spouse.

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If you are unmarried, you must:

• be the parent of a qualified child, and seek maintenance from theother parent of your child.

If your spouse is in prison they must have:

• been sentenced to prison for a term of at least 6 months, or

• been in custody for at least 6 months without being sentenced.

Means test

Your means are any income you have or property (except your ownhome) or an asset that could provide you with an income.


The main items that count are:


• maintenance payments, including maintenance paid to or for a qualified child,

• the value of any property you have other than your own home,

• the value of any investments or savings you may have and

• cash income.


The following are some of the items not counted as means:

• your own home,

• Supplementary Welfare Allowance or Rent Supplement,

• Family Income Supplement,

• Child Benefit,

• Illness Benefit and

• Jobseeker’s Benefit.

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How do you assess earnings?

If you are working, we assess your income from employment or self-employment as follows:

• we ignore the first €146.50 of weekly earnings, known as weeklydisregard,

• we assess half the remainder of your earnings up to €375.00 a weekas means.

If you are a new applicant with earnings of more than €375.00 a week,you will not qualify for One-Parent Family Payment.

If you get One-Parent Family Payment for 52 weeks in a row and yourearnings then go up to more than €375.00 a week, you may get half ofyour One-Parent Family Payment for a maximum of 26 weeks, startingimmediately after your earnings exceed €375 a week, as long as yousatisfy all the other qualifying conditions. At the end of this 26 weekperiod, your payment will end.

How do you assess maintenance payments?

We assess personal and child maintenance payments as means. We willadd up maintenance from more than one person and assess the totalamount.

You can pay rent or a mortgage of up to €95.23 a week, without itaffecting maintenance payments. However, we assess half the balance ofany maintenance payments.

You must give evidence of housing costs, such as a rent receipt or bookfrom your landlord or a statement of your mortgage repayments.

How do you assess savings and investments?

When we work out your means from savings and investments, we add upthe following items and use a formula (see below) to work out yourmeans:

• cash value of investments and property (excluding your family home),

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• money in accounts in a financial institution, and

• cash-in-hand.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate and extra amounts for yourqualified child(ren). The amount you receive depends on your weeklymeans. Rates of One-Parent Family Payment are shown in the Rates ofPayment booklet SW 19.


You can get One-Parent Family Payment weekly by:

• Electronic Information Transfer (EIT), using a Social Services Card at achosen post office, or

• by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) directly into your account in afinancial institution,

• by Personalised Payable Order Book (PPO) at a Post Office chosen byyou (for widowed lone parents only).

Household Budget Scheme

The Household Budget Scheme is available to One-Parent FamilyPayment recipients who are being paid by EIT (see Section 1.4).

Capital Weekly means assessed


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You may get One-Parent Family Payment for as long as you satisfy thequalifying conditions.

Your payment stops if:

• you marry or live with someone as husband and wife,

• you no longer have qualified children, or

• If you are getting One-Parent Family Payment for less than 52consecutive weeks and earnings exceed €375.00 a week.

Extra benefits

If you are getting One-Parent Family Payment, you may be entitled to:


• Family Income Supplement (FIS) (see Section 9.1),

• Increase for living on an Island, which you get automatically if you liveon one of a number of off-shore islands (See Section 10.9 for details),

• assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme (forexample, Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement) (see Section 11), and

• a Medical Card from your local office of the Health Service Executive.

Additional social welfare payments

You may qualify for half of the personal rate of Jobseeker’s, Illness,Maternity, Adoptive, Health and Safety, or Occupational Injury Benefit for a limited period in addition to your One-Parent Family Payment.

Work and training options

As a lone parent you can take up a range of employment supports andeducational and training options operated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs and other agencies (see Section 9 for details).

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To apply for One-Parent Family Payment, complete application form(OFP 1) and send it with the relevant certificates and documents to yourLocal Social Welfare Office.

If you are widowed, you should apply to:


Telephone: LoCall: 1890 50 00 00

• If you are widowed, you should apply within 3 months of yourspouse’s death.

• If you are unmarried, you should apply within 3 months of the birthof your child.

• If you are separated or divorced, you should claim within 6 monthsof the date you separated from your spouse. However, you must beseparated 3 months before you apply.

• If you are a prisoner’s spouse, you may apply when your spouse:

• has been in custody for at least 6 months without beingsentenced, or

• starts their sentence, which must be for at least 6 months.

For further details, see information booklet SW 82 or contact your localSocial Welfare Office.

Note

If you fail to apply within 3 months of becoming eligible, youmay lose payments.

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5.5 Your duty to support your family

You are required under law to maintain your dependent spouse andchild(ren). If you fail to do this you must contribute to the cost of any One-Parent Family Payment (OFP), Deserted Wife’s Allowance or Benefit orSupplementary Welfare Allowance that we pay to your family as a result.

How does the system operate?

The Department’s Maintenance Recovery Section:

• decides whether a spouse or parent must make a contribution,

• determines the amount to be contributed,

• makes arrangements for the contributions to be paid, and

• takes action, if necessary, to ensure the contributions are paidregularly.

How much would a person have to contribute?

We first assess the person’s financial situation and whether they haveother dependants. The assessment is based on the net income with thefollowing allowances granted:

• Personal Allowance, determined by the rate of OFP in payment at the time,

• Accommodation Allowance, determined by regular outgoings formortgage or house rent purposes,

Note

If you are getting Deserted Wife’s Benefit, Deserted Wife’sAllowance or Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance, you will continue toget that payment for the duration of your claim.

If you are in employment you do not have to pay the 2% HealthContribution, regardless of your earnings, for as long as you aregetting One-Parent Family Payment. You should give proof ofyour payment to your employer.

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• Qualified Child Increase, and

• Maintenance Allowance, determined by existing maintenancearrangements either as a result of a Court Order or an informalarrangement between the ‘liable relative’ and the person receivingthe OFP payment.

When the assessment is finished, the section decides (through a‘Determination Order’) whether the person concerned can contributetowards the OFP payment and the amount payable. We can reviewdecisions where there is new information about, or changes to thefinancial or household circumstances of a liable relative.

How do you collect contributions?

We seek weekly payment wherever possible from the liable relative(s). Itcan be made by:

• standing order to the Department’s bank account,

or

• weekly payments to:

The CashierAccounts BranchDepartment of Social and Family AffairsGovernment BuildingsSt. Alphonsus’ RoadDundalkCo Louth

• directly paying the person receiving OFP (by cash, cheque or lodgement into their account in a financial institution) andnotifying the Maintenance Recovery Section immediately. Thisarrangement could lead to a reduction of OFP.

What happens to Maintenance Orders?

If you are getting Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance or One-ParentFamily Payment you must transfer any maintenance payments under aCourt Order to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, includingmaintenance paid to children.

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The risk of maintenance default is carried by the Departmentrather than the liable relative. There is no loss of payment if theliable parent fails to pay the Department.

Requests for contributions

All requests made by the Maintenance Recovery Unit are carried outunder Section 346(1) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005.If you fail to make these contributions, we may take legal action againstyou.

For more information contact:

Maintenance Recovery SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsLicence No. DN 5273Social Welfare Services OfficeP.O. Box 8442 Business ReplyDublin 2

Telephone: Dublin (01) 858 1150

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This section gives details of payments available to support families:

• Child Benefit

• Maternity Benefit

• Adoptive Benefit

• Health and Safety Benefit

• Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)

• Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory).

Section 6Child related payments


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6.1 Child Benefit

Child Benefit is a monthly payment for each qualified child normallyliving with you and being supported by you. A qualified child is:

• under age 16

and/or

• aged 16, 17 or 18 who:

— is in full-time education, or

— attends a FÁS Youthreach course, or

— is physically or mentally disabled and dependent on you.

You can no longer get Child Benefit when your child reaches age 19.

You can get Child Benefit if a child is temporarily living abroad with a parent or guardian who:

• serves with the Defence Forces,

• is a public servant,

• is a volunteer development worker, or

• works outside the State, but pays PRSI contributions.

Who can apply for Child Benefit?

Child Benefit is normally paid to the child’s mother or step-mother. If thechild lives with their father or step-father Child Benefit may be paid tothem.

If the child is not living with or being maintained by their parents, theperson caring for the child may get Child Benefit. You may nominatesomeone else to get Child Benefit for you, if you like.

Note

In order to qualify for Child Benefit you must satisfy theHabitual Residence Condition (see Section 1.6)

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How much can I get?

Your payment depends on the number of qualified children in your care.The rates of Child Benefit are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.


You get Child Benefit on the first Tuesday of each month either by directpayment into an account in a financial institution or a book of payableorders, which you can cash at your chosen post office.


Child Benefit is paid until the child reaches age 16 or age 19 if they are infull-time education or disabled. Child Benefit ends when the childreaches age 19.

A partly completed application form will be sent to you 1 month beforeyour child’s 16th birthday or 1 month before the end of the academicyear (if your child is under 19), so that you can continue to receive ChildBenefit.

When you receive the form fill it in and have it certified by the relevantschool or college or medical doctor.

If you do not receive the form automatically, form CB2 is available on theinternet at www.welfare.ie, from the post office or local Social WelfareOffice.

What happens in the case of multiple births?

You can get a special grant of €635 for multiple births, as follows:

• €635 at birth,

• €635 at age 4, and

• €635 at age 12.

The rate of Child Benefit for twins is payable at one and a half times thenormal monthly rate for each child.

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Child related payments

Where the multiple birth involves three or more children, Child Benefit ispaid at double the normal monthly rate for each child, provided at leastthree of the children remain qualified.

Do EC Regulations affect Child Benefit?

If you work in a country covered by EC Regulations (see Section 3 fordetails of countries covered) this country usually pays Child Benefit, evenif your family is living in another country.

For more information on how EU rules affect Child Benefit, contact Child Benefit Section at the address shown on page 98.

When should I apply for Child Benefit?

You should apply for Child Benefit within 6 months of the month in which:

• your child is born,

• the child becomes a member of your family, or

• your family come to live in the Republic of Ireland.

How do I apply for Child Benefit?

Since early 2005, the birth details of all children born in the Republic ofIreland are stored in a central database. To register your child’s birth inthis database, you must give the hospital and Registrar of Births your:

• Personal Public Service Number (PPS Number)*,

• date of birth,

• full name,

• address and

• mother’s birth surname.

* If you do not have a PPS Number please see Section 2.1

Child Benefit Section, which is part of the Department of Social andFamily Affairs, has access to the central database and can automaticallystart your application for Child Benefit for you.

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If you have provided the necessary information about yourself and yourchild, we will contact you within 10 working days following theregistration of your child’s birth. If you do not provide all this information,your Child Benefit may be delayed or we may not be able to process yourapplication automatically.

My new baby is my first child

We will send you a partly completed application form for Child Benefit.Please fill this in, making sure that your and your child’s personal detailsare correct and return it to us. We will contact you when we haveprocessed your application.

I have other children and already receive Child Benefit

If your surname is the same in both our records and those held by theRegistrar of Births, we will automatically include payment for your newchild with your existing Child Benefit. A letter will issue telling you whenthe increase in your payment will start. There is no need to contact us,unless you want us to change your personal details or your method ofpayment.

If your surname is not the same on both our records and those held bythe Registrar of Births, we will send you an application form to fill in. The form should then be returned with written evidence of your currentsurname, such as a utility bill or marriage certificate. If you receive ChildBenefit by payment book, you will also need to return the book to havethe details amended.

If you do not hear from us within 10 working days following theregistration of your child’s birth, you can contact us on 1890 400 400.

Note

If your child was born outside the Republic of Ireland or you didnot register the birth under the new system, you should fill inand return form CB1 with the long version of your child’s birthcertificate. You can get form CB1 online at www.welfare.ie fromyour post office or local Social Welfare Office.

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Child Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services Office,St. Oliver Plunkett Road,Letterkenny,Co. Donegal.

LoCall: 1890 400 400

Early Childcare Supplement

Early Childcare Supplement is a new payment from the Office of theMinister for Children to assist with the childcare costs of children undersix years of age.

There is no need to apply, payment will be made automatically to you ifyou get Child Benefit and have a child or children under six.

The supplement starts from April 2006 and payment of €250 per childwill be made every 3 months, €1000 per year for each child under sixyears.

The first payment, for the months April to June 2006, will be delayeduntil later in the summer to allow time for necessary arrangements to bemade. After that, payment will issue to you every 3 months until yourchild turns six.

The Department of Social and Family Affairs are paying the EarlyChildcare Supplement on behalf of the Office of the Minister forChildren, they will contact you to let you know the arrangements for yourpayment.

Information on the Early Childcare Supplement is available from theOffice of the Minister for Children on 1890 20 90 30.

6.2 Maternity Benefit

Maternity Benefit is a payment for employed and self-employed pregnantwomen who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions on their owninsurance record. You may only get Maternity Benefit if you pay PRSI atClasses A, E, H* or S.

* You will not get Maternity Benefit while you are serving as a member ofthe Defence Forces.

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How do I qualify?

You will qualify if you:

• are entitled to maternity leave as an employee under the MaternityProtection Act, 1994, or self-employed, and

• satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions.


If you are an employee you must have at least:

• 39 weeks PRSI * paid in the 12 month period before the first day of your maternity leave,

or

• 39 weeks PRSI* paid since first starting work and at least 39 weeks PRSI* paid or credited in the relevant tax year or in the yearfollowing the Relevant Tax Year.

or

• 26 weeks PRSI* paid in the relevant tax year and at least 26 weeks PRSI* paid in the tax year before the relevant tax year.

* Only PRSI at Classes A, E and H count.

You may use contributions paid in the tax year later than the relevant taxyear to help you satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions. However, theamount of Maternity Benefit you get depends only on yourearnings in the relevant tax year.

If you are self-employed, you must have 52 PRSI* contributions paid ineither:

• the relevant tax year,

• the tax year before the relevant tax year, or

• in the tax year after the relevant tax year.

* Only PRSI at Classes A, E, H and S count.

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If you do not satisfy these PRSI contribution conditions and you were in insurable employment before becoming self-employed, your PRSIcontributions in that employment may help you qualify.

How much can I get?

EmployeesWe work out your weekly rate of Maternity Benefit by dividing your grossincome in the relevant tax year by the number of weeks you actuallyworked in that year.

You may get 80% of this amount, subject to a minimum payment of€182.60 and maximum payment of €265.60 (as from 2nd January 2006).

Note

If you have worked in a country covered by EC Regulations andyou have paid at least one full rate PRSI contribution since yourreturn to Ireland, your insurance record in that country mayhelp you to qualify for Maternity Benefit.

If you apply in: The relevant tax year is:

2006 20042007 2005

Note

The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year beforethe benefit year in which your maternity leave starts.

The benefit year begins each year on the first Monday in Januaryand ends on the Sunday immediately before the first Monday inJanuary the following year.

Note

Self-employment contributions, PRSI Class S, are not awarded untilyour have paid your total tax for the relevant tax year.

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Self-EmployedWe work out your weekly rate of Maternity Benefit by dividing your grossincome in the relevant tax year by 52 weeks.


Reduced rates

You may get half the usual Maternity Benefit if you are getting any of thefollowing payments:


• Widow’s Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension,

• Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance,

• Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance, or

• Death Benefit through Widow’s or Widower’s or Dependent Parent’sPension (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme).


You can get Maternity Benefit by direct payment into your account in afinancial institution each week in advance.

Is my Maternity Benefit taxable?Maternity Benefit is not taxable.


You may get Maternity Benefit for a continuous period of 22 weekswhether or not you return to work following your 22 weeks maternityleave. To qualify for the maximum 22 weeks Maternity Benefit, you musttake at least 2 weeks and at most 16 weeks leave before the end of theweek in which your baby is due.

If you fail to take the minimum 2 weeks, you will lose out on somebenefit.

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Unpaid maternity leave – employees only

If you take unpaid maternity leave immediately after your paid leave, youwill be entitled to receive a PRSI credit for each week taken, up to amaximum of 12 weeks. This will make sure that your social insurancerecord is up to date.


You should apply for Maternity Benefit 6 weeks before you intend to go on maternity leave or 12 weeks if self-employed. In certain cases, youmay apply after your baby is born, but if you fail to apply within 6 monthsof the birth of your baby, you may lose your benefit.

You can get an application form at your local Social Welfare Office orfrom:

Maternity Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeSt. Oliver Plunkett RoadLetterkennyCo. Donegal

LoCall: 1890 690 690

See information booklet SW 11 for more information or contactMaternity Benefit Section at the address above.

Can I postpone maternity leave?

You may postpone the last 8 weeks of your Maternity Benefit if your childis in hospital. Your Maternity Benefit must have been in payment for atleast 14 weeks and you must have taken at least 4 weeks maternity leaveafter your baby was born.

You should apply in writing to the address above if you want to have yourMaternity Benefit postponed. You can postpone your Maternity Benefitfor up to 6 months. Your payment will resume when you send in writtenconfirmation to Maternity Benefit Section that your child has beendischarged from hospital and it has been certified by your employer thatyou are entitled to resume postponed maternity leave. Your payment willcontinue until your entitlement to Maternity Benefit finishes.

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6.3 Adoptive Benefit

Adoptive Benefit is a payment for an adopting parent who adopts a child.You may get it if you are an employee or self-employed if you satisfycertain PRSI conditions on your own record.

You may get Adoptive Benefit only if you pay PRSI at Classes A, E, H*or S.

* You will not get Adoptive Benefit while you are serving as a member of the Defence Forces.

How do I qualify?

If you are an employee, you will qualify if you:

• are an adopting parent and entitled to adoptive leave under the Adoptive Leave Act, 1995, and



If you are an employee you must have at least:

• 39 weeks PRSI* paid in the 12 months immediately before the datethe child is placed with you,

or

• 39 weeks’ PRSI* paid since you first started working and 39 weeksPRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year, or in the year followingthe relevant tax year,

or

• at least 26 weeks’ PRSI* paid in the relevant tax year and at least 26 weeks PRSI paid in the tax year before the relevant tax year.

* The Relevant Tax Year is the second last complete income tax yearbefore the benefit year (January-December) in which your adoptive leavestarts.

The benefit year begins each year on the first Monday in January andends on the Sunday immediately before the first Monday in January thefollowing year.

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* Only PRSI at Classes A, E and H count.

You may use contributions paid in the tax year later than the relevant taxyear to help you satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions. However, onlyearnings in the relevant tax year are used to calculate yourAdoptive Benefit rate.

If you are self-employed, you must have 52 PRSI* contributions paid ineither the relevant tax year, the tax year before the relevant tax year, orthe tax year later than the relevant tax year.

* Only PRSI Classes A, E, H and S count.

If you do not satisfy these PRSI contribution conditions and you were in insurable employment before becoming self-employed, your PRSIcontributions in that employment may help you qualify.

How much can I get?

EmployeesWe work out your weekly rate of Adoptive Benefit by dividing your grossincome in the relevant tax year by the number of weeks you actuallyworked in that year.

Note

If you have worked in a country covered by EU Regulations andyou have paid at least one full rate PRSI contribution since yourreturn to Ireland, your insurance record in that country mayhelp you to qualify for Adoptive Benefit.

If you apply in

2006 2004 2007 2005

The relevant tax year (or qualifying tax yearfor the self-employed)

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NOTE

Self-employment contributions, PRSI Class S, are not awardeduntil you have paid your total tax for the relevant tax year.

You may get 80% of this amount, subject to a minimum payment of€182.60 and maximum payment of €265.60 each week (as from 2ndJanuary 2006).

Self-EmployedWe work out your weekly rate of Adoptive Benefit calculated by dividing your gross income in the relevant tax year by 52.


Employees and self-employedWe compare the rate of Adoptive Benefit to the rate of Illness Benefitthat you would get if you were absent from work through illness. Wecheck this for you and you will get the higher of the two automatically.

The rates of Adoptive Benefit are shown in the Rates of Payment bookletSW 19.

Reduced rates

You may get half the usual Adoptive Benefit if you are getting any of thefollowing payments:





• Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance,

• Death Benefit through Widow’s or Widower’s or Dependent Parent’sPension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme.


You can get Adoptive Benefit by direct payment into your account in afinancial institution each week in advance.

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Is my Adoptive Benefit taxable?

Adoptive Benefit is not taxable. If you have any questions on your taxaffairs you should contact your local tax office.


You may get Adoptive Benefit for an unbroken period of 20 weeks fromthe date the child is placed with you.

Unpaid adoptive leave – employees only

An employee who takes paid adoptive leave may take up to another 12weeks unpaid adoptive leave.

If you take this leave you will receive a PRSI credit for each week taken,up to a maximum of 12 weeks. This will make sure that your socialinsurance record is up to date.

In the case of a foreign adoption, you may ask to take some or all of the12 weeks unpaid adoptive leave immediately before the day ofplacement. However, to obtain unpaid leave in this way you mustprovide documents as evidence of the adoption.


You should apply at least 5 weeks before your leave is due to begin. Incertain cases you may apply after the child is placed with you. You maylose benefit if you fail to apply within 6 months of the date the child isplaced with you. You can get an application form from your local socialwelfare office or from:

Adoptive Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeSt. Oliver Plunkett RoadLetterkennyCo. Donegal

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 690 690 LoCall Leaflet Request Line: 1890 20 23 25

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See information booklet SW 37 for more information or contact AdoptiveBenefit Section at the address above.

Can I postpone adoptive leave and Adoptive Benefit?

If your child is in hospital you may postpone the payment of yourAdoptive Benefit where it is certified by your employer that your areentitled to the postponement of adoptive leave.

Payment of Adoptive Benefit will resume when you send writtenconfirmation from your employer to Adoptive Benefit Section that youare entitled to restart postponed adoptive leave.

Upon resumption of adoptive leave, payment will be in one continuousperiod for the duration of your entitlement to Adoptive Benefit.

6.4 Health and Safety Benefit

Health and Safety Benefit is a weekly payment for women who are grantedhealth and safety leave under the Maternity Protection Act, 1994.

Health and safety leave is granted to an employee when the employercannot remove a risk to her health or safety during her pregnancy orwhile breastfeeding, or cannot give her other ‘risk-free’ duties.

For information on health and safety leave, contact:

The Equality Authority 2 Clonmel StreetDublin 2

Telephone: Dublin (01) 417 3333LoCall 1890 24 55 45

For information on safety, health and welfare protection, including theworking conditions and the agents that may pose a risk to pregnant andbreastfeeding employees, contact:

The Health and Safety Authority10 Hogan PlaceDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 662 0400

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How do I qualify for health and safety benefit?


• are a pregnant employee and are exposed to certain risks in theworkplace or involved in nightwork*,

or

• are an employee who has given birth in the last 14 weeks and areinvolved in nightwork*,

or

• are breastfeeding (up to 26 weeks after giving birth) and exposed tocertain risks in the workplace (you can get details of the risks involvedfrom the Health and Safety Authority),

and

• have been awarded health and safety leave under Section 18 of theMaternity Protection Act, 1994,

and


* Under the Safety, Health and Welfare at Work (Pregnant Employees,etc.) Regulations, 1994, nightwork is defined as “…work in the periodbetween the hours of 11pm on any day and 6am of the next followingday, where:

a) the employee works at least three hours in the said period as a normal course

or

b) at least 25% of the employee’s monthly working time is performed in the said period”.


You must have:

• at least 13 weeks PRSI paid in the 12 months immediately before thedate your baby is due,

or

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• 52 weeks PRSI paid since you first started work, and 39 weeks paid or credited in the relevant tax year, or in the year following therelevant tax year,

or

• 26 weeks PRSI paid in the relevant tax year, and 26 weeks PRSI paidin the tax year prior to the relevant tax year.

Only PRSI at Classes A, E and H* count.

The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year before the startof the benefit year January-December that includes the first day forwhich you are claiming Health and Safety Benefit.

*You will not get Health and Safety Benefit while you are serving as amember of the defence forces.

How much can I get?

Your employer must pay you for the first 21 days of health and safetyleave. You will then qualify for Health and Safety Benefit from thisDepartment, as long as you satisfy all the conditions.

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extraamounts for a qualified adult or any qualified children (see Section 1.2 fordetails of any qualified children). Your weekly rate of Health and SafetyBenefit depends on your level of earnings in the relevant tax year.

To qualify for the standard rate, your average weekly earnings in therelevant tax year must be at least €150.00. However, you may get areduced rate if your weekly earnings are below €150.00.

The rates of Health and Safety Benefit are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.


2006 20042007 2005

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Reduced rates

You may get half the personal rate of Health and Safety Benefit if you aregetting any of the following payments:


• Widow’s Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension,

• Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance, or

• Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance.

No increase for child dependants is payable.


You may get Health and Safety Benefit by direct payment into youraccount in a financial institution, or by cheque, which is posted to youeach Tuesday.


Your Health and Safety Benefit starts once the 21 days’ payment fromyour employer ends. You may get the benefit for the remainder of yourhealth and safety leave, up to:

• the day on which you become entitled to Maternity Benefit, if you arepregnant,

• 16 weeks after the date on which you gave birth, if you have recentlygiven birth and are involved in nightwork,

or

• 26 weeks after the date on which you gave birth if you are nowbreastfeeding.

You cannot get Health and Safety Benefit for any day you are entitled toMaternity Benefit. You stop getting the benefit if your health and safetyleave ends because:

Note

Health and Safety Benefit is not subject to income tax.

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• you are no longer vulnerable to the workplace risk, or

• your employer has removed the risk or given you other work, or

• you are employed on a fixed term contract and that contract ends.


You should apply for Health and Safety Benefit as soon as your employerhas established and certified that health and safety leave has beengranted.

You will have to forward a completed certificate from your employer thatyou have been granted Health and Safety Leave under the MaternityProtection Act, 1994.

More Information

For further details on Health and Safety Benefit see information leafletSW 21 or contact:

Health and Safety Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeSt. Oliver Plunkett RoadLetterkennyCo. Donegal

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 690 690

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Note

If you get Health and Safety Benefit while pregnant, you are deemed to satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions forMaternity Benefit. If you have been getting Maternity Benefit,and then apply for Health and Safety Benefit you are able tosatisfy the PRSI conditions for Health and Safety Benefit.However, you must fill in a separate application form for eachbenefit.

6.5 Guardian’s Payment (Contributory)

Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) may be paid for a child if:

• both parents are dead,

or

• one parent is dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed toprovide for the child and the other parent is unknown, or hasabandoned and failed to provide for the child,

and

• the parent(s) or step-parent satisfy the PRSI contribution condition.


The orphan’s parent or step-parent must have paid 26 weeks PRSI at anytime. Most PRSI classes count, including Classes B, C and D paid bypermanent and pensionable civil and public servants (appointed before 6April 1995). However, PRSI at Classes J, K, M and P do not count.

If the PRSI conditions have not been satisfied, a Guardian’s Payment(Non-Contributory) may be paid.

How much can I get?

The rates of Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

Note

A person cannot apply for a child still living with a parent, step-parent, or adoptive parent.

Where appropriate, we need independent written confirmation ofparental abandonment and failure to provide for the child. We willcontact the guardian when we receive the application to advisewhat information we need.

You cannot get Foster Care Allowance and Guardian’s Payment(Contributory) at the same time

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Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) is normally paid to the guardian ofthe orphan by direct payment into an account in a financial institution.It can also be paid by a book of payable orders, which you can cashweekly at a chosen post office. In certain exceptional circumstances theorphan may receive the payment directly.


Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) continues for an orphan up to age 18 or until age 22 if they are in full-time education by day at a recognisedschool or college.


The guardian should apply within 3 months of the child being orphaned.You can get an application form from your local Social Welfare Office orfrom:

Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 from the Republic of Ireland or353 71 913 5200 from Northern Ireland or overseas

See information booklet SW 115 for more information or contactGuardian’s Payment (Contributory) Section at the address above.

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Note

Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) was previously known asOrphan’s Contributory Allowance.

6.6 Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory)

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) may be paid for a child who isnot entitled to Guardian’s Payment (Contributory), if:

• the child satisfies a means test,

• the child is living in the State,

• both parents are dead,or

• one parent is dead or unknown or has abandoned and failed toprovide for the child and the other parent is unknown or hasabandoned and failed to provide for the child.

Means test

What items count as means?

Means are any income belonging to the child. This includes property(except the family home) or an asset that can provide an income.

The child’s means may be worked out at the Social Welfare ServicesOffice or a Social Welfare Inspector may call to the child’s home. TheInspector will need to ask for details about items that count as meansand may also ask to see documents such as accounts or statements fromyour financial institutions (see Section 1.6 for details about the meanstest).

Any increase or change in the child’s means should be notified to theDepartment.

Note

A person cannot apply for a child still living with a parent,step-parent or adoptive parent.

Where appropriate, we need independent written confirmation ofparental abandonment and failure to provide for the child. We willcontact the guardian when we receive the application to advisewhat information we need.

Foster Care Allowance and Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) are not payable at the same time.

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How investments and savings are assessed

The actual income from investments and money in a savings account is not taken as the orphan’s means. Instead we add together theinvestment items (listed below) and we use a formula to work out theorphan’s means:

• cash value of investments and property,


• cash-in-hand.

How much can I get?The amount if any, depends on the child’s means.

The rates of Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

How do I get the payment?

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) is normally paid to the guardianof the orphan by direct payment into an account in a financial institution.It can also be paid by a book of payable orders that you can cash weeklyat a chosen post office. In certain exceptional circumstances, the orphanmay receive the payment directly.

How long does the payment last?

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) continues for an orphan up toage 18 or until age 22 if they are in full-time education by day at arecognised school or college.



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Living abroad

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) cannot be paid if the child isliving outside the State.

When and how to apply?

The guardian should apply within 3 months of the child being orphaned.You can get an application form from your local Social Welfare Office orfrom:

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

Telephone LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 from the Republic of Ireland or353 71 913 5200 from Northern Ireland or overseasoronline at www.welfare.ie

More Information

For further details see information leaflet SW 48 or contact Guardian’sPayment (Non-Contributory) Section at the address above.

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Note

Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) was previously known asOrphans Non-Contributory Pension.

6.7 School Meals Programme

The Department’s School Meals Programme provides funding under twoseparate schemes.

School Meals (Urban) Scheme

The School Meals (Urban) Scheme provides financial assistance toCounty Borough Councils, Urban District Councils and TownCommissioners (but not to County Councils) for the provision of schoolmeals to certain national schools. Funding for the food is split 50/50between this Department and the local authority.

School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme

The School Meals (Local Projects) Scheme provides funding directly topre-schools, national schools and secondary schools, local groups andvoluntary organisations that operate their own school meals projects.Projects must be targeted at areas of disadvantage or at children withspecial needs. Funding under this scheme is only for food, which mustbe of suitable quality, and be prepared and consumed in an appropriateenvironment. Funding is based on a rate per meal per child.

Further information on the School Meals Programme is available from:

School Meals SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

Telephone LoCall: 1890 50 00 00

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This section explains the payments available for people who are ill or incapacitated and their carer’s. It covers




• Blind Pension,

• Carer’s Benefit,


• Respite Care Grant

• Injury Benefit,


• Medical Care, and

• Death Benefit.

Section 7Illness, disability, caring


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7.1 Illness Benefit

Illness Benefit is a payment for insured people who cannot work due toillness.

Prior to 2 October 2006 Illness Benefit was known as DisabilityBenefit.

How do I qualify?


• are under age 66,

• are unable to work due to illness, and

• satisfy the PRSI conditions.


You must have:

• at least 52 paid PRSI contributions since you first started work,

and

• 39 weeks paid or credited PRSI contributions in the relevant tax year (at least 13 of these must be paid contributions),

or

• 26 paid PRSI contributions in the relevant income tax year and 26 paid PRSI contributions in the tax year immediately before the relevant income tax year.

The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year before the yearin which you claim Illness Benefit.

If you do not have 13 paid contributions in the relevant tax year, you mayuse the following years instead:

• the two tax years before the relevant tax year,

• the last complete tax year,

or

• the current tax year.

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Do I get Illness Benefit immediately?

You will not normally get Illness Benefit for the first 3 days, known aswaiting days, of your claim. However, in some cases, these waiting daysdo not apply. No payments are made for Sundays. Contact theTelephone Enquiry Section on (01) 679 7777 for more details.

Note

• If you get long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, Pre-Retirement Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’sAllowance or Carer’s Benefit immediately before applying forIllness Benefit, you do not need to have 13 paidcontributions provided you previously satisfied theconditions for Illness Benefit.

• Only PRSI paid in Classes A, E, H and P can count towardsIllness Benefit.

• If you have worked in a country covered by EC Regulations,your social insurance record in that country can help youqualify (see Section 3 for details).

• If you have started work for the first time or have been infull-time education you may qualify for credits (see Section2.8 for details).

• If you were getting Illness Benefit for at least 5 years, butyou return to work and discover within 13 weeks that youare not fit for work, you may return to Illness Benefitwithout having to satisfy any further conditions.

• From April 2005, if you were getting Occupational InjuryBenefit immediately before applying for Illness Benefit, youcan use the current or previous relevant tax year to qualifyfor Illness Benefit.

If you are applying in: The relevant tax year is:

2006 20042007 2005

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Illness, disability, caring

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extraamounts for your qualified adult and any qualified children.

Personal rate: You will get less Illness Benefit if your average weeklyearnings are below a certain amount (currently €150 per week) in therelevant tax year.

You may get half the personal rate of Illness Benefit for a limitedperiod, if you get:



• Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension, or

• Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Deserted Wife’s Allowance.

If you get a reduced amount of one of the above payments, you may getmore than half the personal rate of Illness Benefit.

If you are getting a Blind Pension, you may get Illness Benefit if you are illand incapable of work and you satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions.

Increase for qualified adult: If your spouse’s or partner’s gross averageweekly income or earnings is €100.00 or less you will receive the fullincrease for them. If their gross weekly income or earnings are between acertain amount (currently €100.01 and €250) you will get a reduced ratefor them. You will not get an increase if their income or earnings areabove this amount.

Note

Volunteer development workers who return to Ireland can getthe full rate of payment, if they satisfy the qualifying conditionsfor payment.

If you are transferring from full rate long term Jobseeker’sAllowance and have a total of 260 PRSI contributions paid, youmay get the full rate of Illness Benefit provided you satisfy thequalifying conditions.

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Increase for any qualified children: You will get the full increase if yourspouse’s or partner’s average weekly earnings are below a certain amount(currently €250). You will get half rate increase if your spouse’s orpartner’s average weekly income or earnings are between a certainamount (currently €250.01 and €350). No qualified child increase is dueif your spouse’s or partner’s average weekly income or earnings are morethan €350.

The rates of Illness Benefit are set out in the Rates of Payment bookletSW 19.

Do I pay tax on Illness Benefit?

You will get Illness Benefit directly without any deduction of income tax.Illness Benefit (excluding any increases for child dependants) isconsidered as income for income tax purposes. Your first 6 weeks ofIllness Benefit are not taxable.

If you are employed, your employer will take your Illness Benefit into account for PAYE purposes.

If you are unemployed or become unemployed, Revenue will takeaccount of the amount of your Illness Benefit, where relevant, when theyadjust your tax credits or review the tax affairs of your spouse or partner.

Contact your local tax office for more information.


You can get Illness Benefit paid into your account in a financial institutionby Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), or by cheque, which we can post toyou or your employer.

You can also get your Illness Benefit paid into your employer’s account ina financial institution by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT).


If you have a total of 260 weeks (5 years) paid PRSI contributions, sincestarting work, you may get Illness Benefit for as long as you are unfit forwork and are under age 66.

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If you have between 52 and 259 paid PRSI contributions, you may qualifyfor Illness Benefit for up to 52 weeks. At the end of this period, you canre-qualify for benefit by making up an extra 13 paid contributions (or asmaller number if it brings your total to 260).

If you have Class P contributions, you may get Illness Benefit for up to 52weeks.

Extra benefits

If you are getting Illness Benefit, you may also qualify for:

• Smokeless Fuel Allowance, if you live in certain areas where the sale of bituminous fuel is banned and you have been getting Illness Benefit for 13 weeks,

• Assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme,




To apply for Illness Benefit you should:1. go to a doctor and get a first social welfare medical certificate,

which includes an application form, (known as an MC1). Thisform is only available from your doctor,

2. complete this medical certificate and application form, givingdetails of adult and/or child(ren) you wish to claim an increase for.Include your spouse’s or partner’s PPS No.

3. make sure you sign the declaration on the application form,

and

4. hand your certificate into your local Social Welfare Office or post itto the following address:

Department of Social and Family AffairsP.O. Box 1650Dublin 1.

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You should apply for Illness Benefit within 7 days of becoming ill. A delayof more than 7 days may cause you to lose payment. If there is a goodreason for a delay in applying, your payment may be backdated. Seeinformation leaflet SW 101 for further details.

You must send in a medical certificate each week for as long as you areill, unless you are told otherwise.

You must get a final medical certificate from your doctor before you goback to work.

If you last worked and paid social security contributions in a countrycovered by EC Regulations, that country is responsible for your payment.You should send your application to:

International Records SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeOisín HousePearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 704 3000

If, however, you continued to pay Irish PRSI while abroad, thisDepartment is responsible for your payment.

For more details on Illness Benefit see Information Booklet SW119 orcontact:

Illness Benefit Department of Social and Family AffairsÁras Mhic DhiarmadaStore StreetDublin 1.Telephone (01) 679 7777

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Note

Your doctor should not charge you for a medical certificate if amedical examination has not taken place.

Note

You must follow certain ‘Rules of Behaviour’ while claimingIllness Benefit (see information booklet SW119 for list of rules).

7.2 Invalidity Pension

Invalidity Pension is a payment for people who are permanentlyincapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy thecontribution conditions.

How do I qualify?

To qualify, you must satisfy both medical and social insurance conditions.

Medical conditions

You must:

• have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and be likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months,

or

• be permanently incapable of work (in certain cases of very serious incapacity, a person can transfer directly from another social welfare payment or from employment to Invalidity Pension),

or

• be over age 60 and have a serious illness or incapacity.


You must have:

• a total of 260 paid PRSI contributions

and

• 48 paid or credited PRSI contributions in the last complete tax year before your claim.

Only PRSI paid at Classes A, E and H count towards Invalidity Pension.

You can also use social insurance contributions paid in countries coveredby EC Regulations or social insurance or residence in countries withwhich Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement to help youqualify (see Section 3 for details).

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How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extraamounts for a qualified adult and child dependants. Your personal rate is not affected by any other income, savings or occupational pension youmay have. The current rate of payment is shown in the Rates of Paymentbooklet SW 19.


You may get Invalidity Pension each week by Direct Payment into anaccount in a financial institution (not a mortgage account) or by a bookof payable orders that you can cash at your chosen post office.

If you wish to use the Household Budget, you may get your payment byElectronic Information Transfer (EIT) using your Social Services Card at apost office. This payment option is only available after you start to getyour Invalidity Pension.


You will continue to get Invalidity Pension as long as you are under 66years of age and you are incapable of work. Payment will stop if you getany other pension from the Department (except Disablement Pension).

You will automatically be transferred from Invalidity Pension to StatePension (Contributory) - (This was previously known as Old AgeContributory Pension) - when you reach 66 years of age.

Going abroad

Invalidity Pension can be paid abroad by direct payment to a financialinstitution. If you intend going abroad to live please contact:

Invalidity Pension Payments SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: (043) 40118/40045(01) 7043000 ext. 48818/48745

You will get your payment in local currency into your account in afinancial institution every 4 weeks (3 weeks in arrears and 1 week inadvance).

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Additional increasesWith your Invalidity Pension, you may get the following additional weeklyincreases:

— Increase for living alone (see Section 10.8 for details),

— Increase which you get automatically at age 80,

— Increase which you get automatically if you live on certain islands off the coast of Ireland. (see Section 10.9 for details).

Extra benefits

If you qualify for Invalidity Pension and are living in the State, you areautomatically entitled to a Free Travel pass. You may also qualify for:



• Fuel Allowance, from late September to mid April subject to certain conditions, (see Section 10.4 for details), and




If you are permanently incapable of work and you satisfy the qualifyingmedical and PRSI conditions, you may apply for an Invalidity Pension.

To get an application form contact your local social welfare office or

Invalidity Pension Claims Section Social Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 40028/45211 ext. 48728 or 48914Dublin (01) 704 3314, ext. 48728

For further details, see information booklet SW 44 or contact InvalidityPension Claims Section at the address above or your local Social WelfareInformation Officer.

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7.3 Disability Allowance

Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance for people with a disabilityaged between 16 and 66. Your disability must be expected to last for atleast one year. You must pass a medical exam and a means test to getthe allowance.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for Disability Allowance if you:

• have an injury, disease, illness or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year and causes you to be, ‘substantially restricted’ in doing work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications,

• are aged between 16 and 66,


• are habitually resident in the State.

Means test

A means test is a way of checking how much means you have to supportyourself and what amount of payment, if any, you qualify for.

Your means include:

• cash income belonging to you or your spouse or partner,

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Note

If someone is claiming Domiciliary Care Allowance for you, youwill automatically be invited to claim Disability Allowance atage 16.

Note

You must follow certain “Rules of Behaviour” while claimingInvalidity Pension. (See information booklet SW 44).

• the value of any savings, investments, shares or land,

• any property you have (other than your home), and

• maintenance payments if you are deserted or separated.


Items that do not count as means include:

• your own home,

• a social welfare payment to another member of your household,

• money received from a recognised charity (except a public or local authority),

• the maintenance element of a higher education grant paid for you, a qualified adult or a qualified child for certain courses,

• the first €100.00 of your spouse’s or partner’s weekly earnings,

• the first €20,000 of capital assets, such as savings,

• income up to €120.00 from rehabilitative employment (and from June 2006 50% of income between €120.00 and €350.00),

• Domiciliary Care Allowance paid for any qualified children,

• Mobility Allowance from the Department of Health and Children, and

• income from employment by the Health Service Executive as a home help.

How savings and investments are assessed

When working out your means from savings and investments, we addtogether these items and we use a special formula to work out yourmeans.

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Residential care

You cannot get Disability Allowance if you are in full-time residential care.

However, if you spend 2 or 3 days a week, or holiday periods of at least 3weeks in a row outside the care facility, you may qualify for DisabilityAllowance.

If you are already on Disability Allowance and you go into hospital orinstitutional care after that date, you will receive your DisabilityAllowance payment as long as you keep satisfying the conditions.

If a person in full time residential care does not have any social welfarepayment, they may receive a special €35 per week personal expensespayment.

Medical suitability

As well as having to satisfy a means test, you may need to attend amedical exam by a Medical Assessor. This is a registered doctor whoworks with the Department of Social and Family Affairs and will provide areport on your medical condition. A medical exam happens only when itis not possible to report on your medical condition from the medicalcertificates above.

How much can I get?

Disability Allowance is made up of a personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for a qualified adult and qualified children, if any. Where youhave means assessed against you, we may reduce the weekly rate. Formore details on rates and increases for dependants see the Rates ofPayment booklet SW 19.

If you get Disability Allowance and your spouse or partner is gettinganother social welfare payment, you each will receive weekly personalrates of your own payments.

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You may get Disability Allowance by direct payment into an account in afinancial institution or by Electronic Information Transfer (EIT) with a swipe card at a post office which allows you to avail of the HouseholdBudget Scheme. You can get it paid by a book of payable orders that youcan cash each week at a chosen post office. If you are not able to collectthe allowance yourself, you can choose someone to collect it for you.


You may get Disability Allowance as long as you satisfy the conditions,except if you are awarded another pension or allowance.

Additional increasesWith your Disability Allowance, you may get the following additionalweekly increases:

— increase for living alone for which you must apply (see Section 10.8 for details),

— increase which you get automatically if you live on certain islands off the coast of Ireland. (see Section 10.9 for details).

Extra benefits

You are entitled to free travel automatically when you get DisabilityAllowance. You may also qualify for:

• a Free Travel Companion Pass, which allows you to have a companion aged 16 or over to join you when travelling,



• Fuel Allowance, from early September to late April subject to certain conditions, (see Section 10.4 for details), and



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If you need full-time care and attention, the person looking after you mayget Carer’s Allowance or if they have left the workforce, Carer’s Benefit.

Employment and Educational Supports

A number of employment and educational supports exist to help youtake part in training or rejoin the workforce. See Section 9 for details.

If you take part in vocational training, you will get a training allowancefrom FÁS instead of your Disability Allowance. If you are unable tocontinue the training course your Disability Allowance will restartautomatically.

How do I apply?

To apply, complete application form DA 1 which is available from yourlocal Social Welfare Office or online at www.welfare.ie, or from:

Disability Allowance SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3948LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25

Return the completed form to Disability Allowance section at the aboveaddress.

For further details see information booklet SW 29 or contact DisabilityAllowance section at the address above.

7.4 Blind Pension

Blind Pension is for blind people and certain people with low vision. Toprove that you have low vision or are blind, you must be registered withthe National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Otherwise, you mustpresent an eyesight report from an ophthalmic surgeon or an optometristthat will satisfy the Department that you are blind or have low vision.

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How do I qualify?

You will qualify, if you:


• are blind or have low vision,

• are habitually resident in the State, (please see information booklet SW 108),

• have a valid Personal Public Service (PPS) number, and


Means test



Your means are any income belonging to you or your spouse or partner.This includes property (except your family home) or an asset that canprovide you with an income. If you are married or cohabiting , we dividein two the joint means of you and your spouse or partner to give yourindividual means.


Some of the main items which do not count as means include:

• your own home,

• the first €20,000 of savings (for a single person) or first €40,000 (for a couple),

• a certain amount of earnings from rehabilitative employment,

• a social welfare payment your spouse or partner is getting in their own right,

• a certain amount of earnings for yourself, your spouse or partner and any qualified children, and

• certain higher education maintenance grants.

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The actual income from investments and money in a savings account isnot taken as your means. Instead we add together the investment items(listed below) and use a formula (see below) to work out your means:

• cash value of investments and property (except your home),


• cash-in-hand.

If you are married or cohabiting with another person as husband andwife, we will apply this formula to half your joint savings and investments.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and if you aremarried or cohabiting, an increase for your spouse or partner as long asthey are under age 66 and not getting a social welfare payment in theirown right. This increase is known as an increase for a qualified adult(IQA). The amount of the IQA changes in line with your personal rate.You may also get extra increases for any qualified children. See Section1.2 for details. The rates of Blind Pension are shown in the Rates ofPayment booklet SW 19.

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What happens if I save part of my pension each week?If you qualify for Blind Pension, the rate of pension you receivewill be set at a level that should enable you to have anadequate standard of living. We would expect you to spend allor most of your pension each week in meeting your normal day-to-day living expenses. However, if you choose to save part ofyour weekly payment, these savings will be means-tested in thesame way as savings from any other source (e.g. from earnings,from an occupational pension or from an inheritance).Depending on the amount of savings you accumulate from allsources, this could result in a reduction in (or withdrawal of)your Blind Pension.

Additional increases

You may get additional weekly increases in your pension if you are:

• aged 80 or over, or

• living on one of a number of off-shore islands,

• living alone.

You may also get Blind Welfare Allowance. Contact the Health ServiceExecutive for details.


Blind Pension can be paid one week in advance by direct payment intoan account financial institution. On the other hand, it can be paid oneweek in advance by a book of payable orders that can be cashed weeklyat a chosen post office.

If you are unable to collect the payment yourself at a post office, you maychoose another person to collect it for you.


You may get Blind Pension up to age 66 as long as you satisfy thequalifying conditions. You should apply for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) three months before you reach age 66.

Note

If you are under age 66 you may get one of the followingpayments in addition to Blind Pension provided you satisfy theconditions for these schemes: Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’sBenefit, Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Health and SafetyBenefit, Injury Benefit, Widow’s or Widower’s ContributoryPension, Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension orOne-Parent Family Payment.

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Extra benefits

If you are getting Blind Pension you automatically qualify for Free Travel.You may also qualify for:

• Fuel Allowance,


• assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, and




If you are blind or suffer from low vision before reaching age 18, youshould apply for a pension 4 months before your 18th birthday. If youbecome blind or your sight deteriorates after reaching age 18, you shouldapply immediately to avoid loss of payment.

You can apply by completing a Blind Pension application form BP1, or byemail ([email protected]) or by telephoning the Department at:

Blind Pension SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 50 00 00, from the Republic of Ireland or00 353 71 916 9800, from Northern Ireland or overseas

For further details, see information booklet SW 76 or contact BlindPension Section at the address above.

Pension for your spouse or partner from age 66

If your pension includes an Increase for a Qualified Adult (IQA) for yourspouse or partner, they may be entitled to a pension in their own rightfrom age 66. Note that once they start claiming a pension, the IQA withyour pension will end. However, you will be better off as a couple if eachof you get a pension in your own right.

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If you are aged 66 and over and receive Blind Pension your payment willchange in September 2006. From Friday 29 September, Blind Pension willbe included with a number of means-tested payments in a new pensionscheme called State Pension (Non-Contributory). You will not need toapply for this pension, as you will automatically get it if you are aged 66and over and get Blind Pension before 29 September.

7.5 Carer’s Benefit

Carer’s Benefit is a payment for people who have made social insurancecontributions and who have recently left the workforce and are lookingafter somebody in need of full-time care and attention.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify if you, the carer:


• have been employed for eight weeks in the 26 week period immediately before applying for Carer’s Benefit,

• satisfy the PRSI conditions,

• give up employment* to care full time for somebody,

• are not employed or self-employed outside the home while caring,

• are living in the State,

• are not living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar location,

and

caring for somebody who:

• is so disabled as to need full-time care and attention (a medical certificate is needed**), or

• does not normally live in a hospital, home or other institution.

*The employment must have been for at least 16 hours a week or 32 hours a fortnight.

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**You do not need to supply a medical certificate if you are caring for a child for whom the Health Service Executive is paying Domiciliary CareAllowance.

You can be the carer of a child on Domiciliary Care Allowance withoutbeing the person who receives the allowance for the child.

What does full-time care and attention mean?

The person being cared for must be so disabled as to need:

• continuous supervision and frequent help with their normal personalneeds, such as walking and getting about, eating or drinking, washing and dressing,

or

• continuous supervision to avoid danger to themselves.

The requirement to provide full-time care and attention will be assessedon an individual basis. It is not intended, nor is it desirable, that a carerwould be expected to provide care on a 24 hour basis.

You the carer may be regarded as providing full time care and attentionand still:

• attend an educational or training course or take up voluntary or community work for up to 15 hours a week,

• engage in self-employment of up to 15 hours a week in your home, or

• engage in employment approved by the Department, outside your home for up to 15 hours a week.

There is a limit on earnings from employment or self-employment (Pleasecontact Carer’s Benefit Section for details).

Note

If you share the care of a person with somebody else, only oneof you can claim Carer’s Benefit.

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Living separately from the person receiving care

If you are not living with the person for whom you are caring:

• you must be providing full-time care and attention,

• a direct system of communication, for example a telephone or alarm system, must exist between your home and that of the person receiving care, and

• the person receiving the care must not already be receiving full-time care and attention within their own home from another person.


The first time you apply you must have:

• 156 paid PRSI contributions since you started insurable employment,

and

• 39 paid contributions in the relevant tax year,

or

• 39 paid contributions in the 12 months before Carer’s Benefit starts,

or

• 26 paid contributions in the relevant tax year and 26 paid contributions in the tax year before that.

PRSI contribution Classes A, B, C, D, H and E count.


2006 20042007 2005

Note

You can still get Carer’s Benefit if the person receiving careattends a non-residential course of rehabilitation training or anon-residential day care centre approved by the Minister forHealth and Children.

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How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a weekly personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for any qualified children. See Rates of Payment booklet SW 19for more details. If you are providing care to more than one person, youmay qualify for an extra 50% of the personal rate.

If your spouse or partner is receiving a social welfare payment thatincludes an increase for you as a qualified adult, they can no longer getthis increase.


You can get Carer’s Benefit each week in advance by direct payment intoyour account in a financial institution.


You can get Carer’s Benefit for 2 years (104 weeks) for each person youcare for. You may claim it in a single continuous period or in separateperiods adding up to a total of 2 years (104 weeks). There is no minimumperiod for claiming Carer’s Benefit.

If you are caring for more than one person, the care periods may overlapor run at the same time.


You can apply for Carer’s Benefit by completing application form CARB1.This form is available from your local Social Welfare Office, online atwww.welfare.ie, the Departments Locall Leaflet Request line 1890 20 2325 or from the address over the page.

Note

You may get a Respite Care Payment on the first Thursday inJune each year. Carers who are looking after two or morepeople may get a Respite Grant for each person.

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Carer’s Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3000

Apply for Carer’s Benefit 10 weeks before you intend to leave employment to give us enough time to check if you qualify before leaving your employment.

For more information, see booklet SW 49 or contact Carer’s BenefitSection at the above address.

Carer’s leave

By law, you may qualify for temporary unpaid leave from youremployment to provide full-time care and attention to another person.

To check if you qualify for carer’s leave, contact the:

Employment Rights Information UnitDepartment of Enterprise, Trade and Employment Telephone: Dublin (01) 631 3131

LoCall: 1890 201 615

You can get further information on carer’s leave from the Department ofEnterprise, Trade and Employment website, www.entemp.ie, or byemailing the Department at [email protected]

Note

You will get credited contributions (credits) for the period youare getting Carer’s Benefit or take carer’s leave. This will makesure that your social insurance record is kept up to date.

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7.6 Carer’s Allowance

Carer’s Allowance is a means-tested payment for carers on low incomeswho live with and look after certain people in need of full-time care andattention. If you provide care to more than one person you may get anextra 50% of the maximum rate of Carer’s Allowance each week,depending on your weekly means.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify if you the carer:



• are caring full-time for the person,

• are not self-employed or employed outside the home for more than 15hours a week,

• are living in the State,

• are not living in a hospital, convalescent home or similar institution,

and

• are caring for somebody who:

• is so disabled as to need full-time care and attention (a medical certificate is needed),

• does not normally live in a hospital, home or other institution, and

• is aged 16 or over, or under age 16 if the Health Service Executive is paying a full rate Domiciliary Care Allowance for them.

NOTE

You cannot get Carer’s Allowance with another social welfarepayment.

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What does ‘full-time care and attention’ mean?

The person being cared for must be so disabled as to need:

• full-time care and attention for at least 12 months,

and

• continuous supervision and frequent help throughout the day with their personal needs, such as walking and getting about, eating or drinking, washing and dressing,

or

• continuous supervision to avoid danger to themselves.

The requirement to provide full-time care and attention will be assessedon an individual basis. We do not expect a carer to provide round theclock care.

You the carer may:

• attend an educational or training course or take up voluntary or community work for up to 15 hours a week,

or

• work part-time as a home help for the Health Service Executive (HSE) for up to 15 hours a week. Income from this employment is notassessed as means,

or

• engage in employment outside your home for up to 15 hours a week.

Income from employment or self-employment will be assessed as means(excluding income from home help).

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Note

The person being cared for may attend a non-residential course of rehabilitation training or a non-residential day care centre approved by the Minister for Health and Children.

Living separately from the person receiving care

To qualify for Carer’s Allowance, you should normally be living with theperson receiving care. However, if you are not living with them, you mayqualify if:

• you can show that you are providing full-time care and attention,

• a direct system of communication, such as a telephone or alarm system, exists between your home and their home, and

• the person receiving care is not already receiving full-time care and attention within their own home from another person.

Means Test



Your means are any income belonging to you or your spouse or partner.This includes property (except your family home) or an asset that canprovide you with an income, such as an occupational pension.


The actual income from investments and savings is not taken as yourmeans. Instead we add together the following items, and a formula isused to work out your means:

• cash value of investments and property (except your family home),• money in a savings account, and• cash-in-hand.

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First €20,000 Nil€20,000 - €30,000 €1 per €1,000€30,000 - €40,000 €2 per €1,000*Over €40,000 €4 per €1,000

*If you are married or living with someone as husband and wife, we willassess you with half of the combined capital held by both of you.


The following items do not count as means:

• your own home,

• Child Benefit,

• your spouse’s or partner’s social welfare or Health Service Executive payment,

• Your spouse’s or partner’s social security payment from another country, equal to the personal rate of the Irish State Pension (Contributory). Any amount greater than this is counted as means.

• PRSI, union dues and superannuation paid from your spouse’s or partner’s employment,

• €133 per year (€2.56 per week) for each qualified child,

• income earned as a part-time home help with the Health Service Executive.

Disregards

Married or cohabiting carer

We will not take into account, the first €580 of your combined weeklyincome* when assessing your means.

Single carer

We will not take into not account the first €290.00 of your weeklyincome* when assessing your means.

* Earnings from employment, an occupational pension, savings or rental income.

Note

The above disregards do not apply to any social securitypayment made to your spouse or partner from another country.

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How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself and extraamounts for your qualified children. The amount you get depends onyour means. If you are providing care for more than one person, you mayqualify for up to an extra 50% of the maximum personal rate.

If your spouse or partner is getting a social welfare payment that includesan increase for you as a qualified adult, they will no longer get thisincrease. However, we will not assess the rest of their payment as means,so you may qualify for Carer’s Allowance at the full rate.

See Rates of Payment booklet SW 19, for more information.


You may get Carer’s Allowance each week by direct payment into anaccount financial institution, or a book of payable orders, which you cancash at your chosen post office.

If you are unable to collect the payment yourself, you may chooseanother person to collect it for you.


You can get Carer’s Allowance for as long as you are caring for the person and satisfy the qualifying conditions.

Extra benefits

All people getting a Carer’s Allowance qualify for:

• a Free Travel Pass,


• an increase paid automatically if you live on one of a number of off-shore islands, and

• an annual Respite Care Payment (€1,200 since June 2006 for each person being cared for).

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You can apply for a Carer’s Allowance by filling in application form CR 1available from your local Social Welfare Office, post office or at theaddress below.

Carers Allowance SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211 Dublin (01) 704 3000LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25

For further details, see information booklet SW 41 or contact Carer’sAllowance Section at the address above.

7.7 The Respite Care Grant

The Respite Care Grant is an annual payment for full-time carers who look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. The payment is made regardless of the carer's means but is subject to certain conditions.

One Respite Care Grant only is paid for each person in need of full-timecare and attention.

Note

Carer’s Allowance does not count as family income for thepurposes of Family Income Supplement.

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NOTE

You may get credited contributions (credits) for the period ofcaring. However, if you are not due credits, you may qualify tohave homemaking years taken into account for the StatePension (Contributory). See Section 4.5 for more details.

You do not need to apply for Respite Care Grant if:

• you, or anyone else, is getting Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance or Prescribed Relative Allowance for caring for this person, or

• if the person receiving care is getting Constant Attendance Allowance.

The Respite Care Grant is paid automatically to anyone getting any ofthese payments.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify if you the carer:


• are ordinarily resident in the State,

• care for the person on a full-time basis,

• care for the person for at least six months - this period of care must include the first Thursday in June,

• live with the person you are looking after, or can be contacted quickly by a direct system of communication (for example, a telephone or alarm) between your home and the home of the person you are caring for.

In addition the person you are caring for must:

• be so incapacitated as to need full-time care and attention (medical certification is required),

• not normally live in a hospital, convalescent home or other similar institution,

• not receive full time care and attention within their own home from another person.

You will not qualify if you the carer are:

• employed or self-employed outside the home for more than 15 hours aweek (10 hours for 2005 scheme), or

• getting or are entitled to Jobseeker’s Benefit or Jobseeker’s Allowance or signing for Jobseeker’s Credits, or

• living in a hospital, convalescent home, or similar institution.149


What does ‘full-time’ care and attention mean?

The person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to need:

• continuous supervision and frequent help throughout the day with their personal needs, such as walking and getting about, dressing, washing, eating and drinking, or

• continuous supervision to avoid danger to themselves, and

• full-time care and attention for at least six months. This period of care must include the first Thursday in June.

How much can I get?

Since June 2006, the Respite Care Grant is €1,200 for each person youare caring for. It is paid once a year by cheque.

How do I apply?

You can apply for the Respite Care Grant by completing the applicationform RCG 1 and sending it to:

Respite Care Grant SectionPO Box 10085 Dublin 2.

Telephone: (01) 673 2222

For more details see information booklet SW 113.

You can get an application form or booklet from your local Social WelfareOffice, Citizens Information Centre (CIC), or the Department’s website atwww.welfare.ie or from our LoCall Leaflet Request Line on 1890 20 23 25.

7.8 Injury Benefit

Injury Benefit is one of the benefits available under the OccupationalInjuries Scheme. It is a weekly payment for people unable to work due toan accident at work or a disease they have contracted due to the type ofwork they do.

An occupational disease is a disease you contract in the course of yourwork, for example, from contact with physical or chemical agents.

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Diseases from an occupation are generally contracted over time but mayoccasionally develop from a once-off accident at work. See informationleaflet SW 33 for a list of prescribed occupational diseases.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify if:

• you are in insurable employment,

• you are unfit for work due to illness because of an accident at work or an occupational disease,

and

• your illness lasts for at least 4 days (excluding Sundays).

In general, people who pay PRSI at Classes A, D, J and M are coveredfor Injury Benefit.

PRSI Class B (paid by civil servants recruited before 6 April 1995) doesnot give cover for Injury Benefit, but does give cover for other benefitsavailable under the Occupational Injuries Scheme.

How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extraamounts for your dependants.

The rates of Injury Benefit are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

You may get half the personal rate of Injury Benefit, but not a qualifiedchild increase if you are getting:



Note

An accident while on an unbroken journey to or from work is regarded as an accident at work.




If you get a reduced amount of one of the above payments, you get morethan half the personal rate of Injury Benefit.

Is Injury Benefit taxable?

You will get Injury Benefit directly without any deduction of income tax.However, Injury Benefit (excluding any increase for a qualified child) isconsidered as income for income tax purposes. The first six weeks ofInjury Benefit are not reckonable for tax purposes.

Contact your local tax office for more information on this matter.


You may get Injury Benefit each week by cheque or by direct paymentinto an account financial institution.

Where there is an employer Sick Pay Scheme, it can be paid directly tothe employer.


Injury Benefit is normally paid from the 4th day of your illness orincapacity and you may get it for up to 26 weeks.

If you are still unable to work after 26 weeks, you may qualify for IllnessBenefit if you satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions (see Section 7.1for details). You may also qualify for Disablement Benefit if you suffer lossof a physical or mental faculty because of the accident or disease (seeSection 7.9 for details of Disablement Benefit).

Alternatively, if you do not have enough PRSI contributions for IllnessBenefit and if you are awarded Disablement Benefit, you may qualify forIncapacity Supplement.

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Extra benefitsIf you are getting Injury Benefit, you may also qualify for:


• refunds under the Medical Care Scheme,

• Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement,


• Death Benefits for your dependants, and

• Smokeless Fuel Allowance (If you live in certain areas where the saleof bituminous coal is banned and you have been getting InjuryBenefit for 13 weeks. Please refer to page 206).

When and how do I apply?You should apply for Injury Benefit within 21 days of becoming ill or elseyou may lose benefit. You should apply by sending in a completed FirstSocial Welfare Medical Certificate, available from your doctor whichincludes an application form. You can hand your certificate into yourlocal Social Welfare Office or post it to:


You should send in further certificates every week for as long as you areill.

For further details, see information booklet SW 30.153


NoteAll work accidents or diseases do not result immediately inillness or disablement. In such a case, to protect your futureright to benefit, you should apply for a declaration (on formDB/OB 1) to say that your accident or disease occurred atwork. You can get the declaration form from:

Injury Benefit SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsFloor 5Áras Mhic DhiarmadaStore StreetDublin 1

Telephone: (01) 704 3018 or 704 3020

7.9 Disablement Benefit

You may get Disablement Benefit if, as a result of an accident at work ora prescribed disease contracted at work, you suffer a loss of physical ormental ability. See information booklet SW 33.

How do I qualify?

You may qualify, if you are in employment and you pay PRSI at Class A,B*, D, J or M.

* Under the Occupational Injuries Scheme, civil servants (insured at PRSIClass B) may not get Disablement Benefit for the first 26 weeks after thedate of the accident. They may get half the rate of Disablement Benefit after this period, with the other half coming from the department theywork for.

How much can I get?

Your payment depends on the degree of your disablement, which adoctor assesses. If you have lost less than 20% of your physical or mentalability, Disablement Benefit will normally be a lump sum known as aDisablement Gratuity.

The amount of the lump sum will vary depending on the degree ofdisablement and how long you are expected to be disabled. You may geta Disablement Pension if a doctor verifies that you have lost 20% or moreof your physical or mental ability.

The maximum rates of Disablement Benefit are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.


If you qualify for Disablement Pension you will get it weekly or monthlyby Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or by cheque.

If you qualify for a lump sum, you will get it by Electronic Fund Transfer(EFT) or by cheque.

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When do I apply?

If you are unable to work after the accident or diseaseFirst apply for Injury Benefit, which you may get for up to 26 weeks afterthe accident or the onset of the disease. Before your Injury Benefitpayment finishes, you should apply for Disablement Benefit if theaccident or disease causes you to lose physical or mental ability.

Disablement Benefit is normally paid after Injury Benefit finishes.

If you are able to work after the accident or diseaseApply for Disablement Benefit as soon as possible or at the latest withinthree months of the date of the accident or the onset of the disease. Youwill receive Disablement Benefit from the fourth day of your disablement.

How do I apply?

To apply fill in application form OB 21 and send it to:

Disablement Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3000

How to protect your future right to Disablement Benefit

All work accidents or occupational diseases may not result immediatelyin illness or disablement.

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IMPORTANT

You should apply within three months of the date of youraccident or the onset of the disease. If you do not apply in timeyou may lose some benefit.

If you are not immediately ill or disabled but wish to protect your futureright to Disablement Benefit, you should:

• tell your employer about the accident or disease, and

•apply for a declaration stating that your accident or disease was relatedto your work.

Do this as soon as possible.

You may get a declaration form DB or OB 1 from:

Injury Benefit SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsFloor 5Áras Mhic DhiarmadaStore StreetDublin 1

Telephone: (01) 704 3018 or 704 3020

If your disablement occurs at a later stage, you should apply within three months of becoming aware of it.

Other payments

If you are getting Disablement Benefit and you are unfit for work, youmay also qualify for:

• Illness Benefit (see Section 7.1 for details),

• Incapacity Supplement, if you are permanently incapable of workbecause of the accident or disease and do not qualify for IllnessBenefit, or

• Constant Attendance Allowance, you may get an increase to Disablement Pension if you need someone to help you daily at hometo attend to your personal needs for at least six months.

These rates are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

For further details, see information booklet SW 31 or contactDisablement Benefit Section.

Incapacity Supplement was previously known as UnemployabilitySupplement.

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7.10 Medical Care

If you are injured at work or contract an occupational disease, you canget a refund of the cost of certain expenses that are not already paid by the Health Service Executive or covered under the Treatment BenefitScheme (see Section 10.1 for details of Treatment Benefit).

PRSI contributions at Classes A, B, D, J or M give cover for medicalcover. In the case of PRSI Class B contributions, only expenses incurredsubsequent to 26 weeks after the accident or development of the diseasecan be covered.

What expenses may be refunded?

You may apply for a refund for:

• doctor’s visits and prescriptions,

• certain medical or surgical appliances and their repair andreplacement,

• certain dental and optical treatment,

• certain qualified nursing at home on the instruction of your doctor,

• certain treatment prescribed by your doctor, and

• certain travelling expenses, usually limited to the cost of public transport.


Medical Care is paid by cheque.

Normally you receive only one payment, but if the treatment is ongoingyou may get payments in instalments. The payment is usually made toyou but may be made to your doctor or the Health Service Executive, ifnecessary.


Tell us of your intention to apply for Medical Care within 6 weeks of thestart of medical treatment. To do so, fill in the Notice of Request includedin information booklet SW 34 and return it to the address below. Youshould normally send it in about 6 weeks from the date of the accidentor the onset of the disease. When we receive the Notice of Request, wewill then send you application form C1. 157


Occupational Injuries (Medical Care) SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsFloor 5Áras Mhic DhiarmadaStore StreetDublin 1

Telephone: (01) 704 3627

For further details see information booklet SW 34 or contact Medical Care Section at the address above.

7.11 Death Benefit

If a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease,Death Benefit may be paid to their dependants. It may also be paid todependants, if at the time of their death, the person was gettingDisablement Pension for loss of at least half of their physical or mentalability, regardless of the cause of death.

The above conditions apply to all payments under Death Benefit whichinclude:

• Widow’s or Widower’s Pension,

• Guardian’s Payment,

• Dependent Parent(s) Pension, and

• Funeral Grant.

Widow’s or Widower’s Pension

You may be entitled to a Widow’s or Widower’s Pension for as long asyou remain widowed (you do not remarry or live with someone ashusband and wife).

This is not affected by any income you may have already and may bepaid with a qualified child increase. See Section 1.2 for details aboutqualified children.

If you are aged 66 or over and living alone, you may get an additionalweekly increase.

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Orphan’s Pension

Under Death Benefit, Orphan’s Pension may be paid on the death of theparent or step-parent or other person who supported the child(ren). Theorphan’s guardian should apply for the pension.

Dependent Parent(s) Pension

Under Death Benefit, parents who were wholly or mainly maintained bytheir child may each receive Dependent Parent(s) Pension when theperson dies.

The amount of pension depends on whether the deceased was single ormarried.

Funeral Grant

Under Death Benefit, a grant is paid by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) orby cheque towards the cost of the funeral expenses.

How much can I get?

The rates of Death Benefit are shown in the Rates of Payment bookletSW 19.

How do I get the payment?

You may receive Death Benefit by direct payment into an account in afinancial institution or by a book of payable orders that you can cashweekly at a chosen post office.

Extra benefits

With Death Benefit, you may also get:

• Fuel Allowance,

• assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, and

• a medical card (from your local office of the Health ServiceExecutive).

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If you are aged 66 or over, you are entitled to Free Travel. You may alsoqualify for the Household Benefits Package.



You should apply for any of the payments under the Death BenefitsScheme within 3 months of the date of death, or you may lose somebenefit. You can get application form OB 61 from your local SocialWelfare Office or from:

Disablement Benefit SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3000LoCall Leaflet Request Line 1890 20 23 25

More information

For further details, see information booklet SW 32 or contactDisablement Benefit Section at the address above.

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This section outlines the two main social welfare paymentsavailable to people who are unemployed. It covers



• Optional Jobseeker’s Allowance, and

• working while receiving a jobseeker’s payment.

Section 8Unemployment supports


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8.1 Applying for a Jobseeker’s payment

If you are unemployed you may qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit (JB) orJobseeker’s Allowance (JA). Jobseeker’s Benefit is based on your socialinsurance record and Jobseeker’s Allowance on your weekly means.

To apply for JB or JA, you should go to your local Social Welfare Office onthe first day of your unemployment. The addresses of the various SocialWelfare Offices are listed in Appendix 2.

You will need to bring the following documents with you when applyingfor JB or JA:

• Long Version of Birth Cert or passport,• supporting identification, for example, driving licence, bank book or

Child Benefit book,

• a household bill (for example ESB or gas bill), and

• if you were employed, your P45 or a letter from your employer confirming that you have stopped working and the reason why.

8.2 How do I qualify for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance?

The basic conditions for Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance are that, at alltimes, you are:

• unemployed (for at least 3 days in every 6 days),

• under age 66,

• capable of work,

• available for full-time work, and

• genuinely seeking work.

NOTE

Apply for a Jobseeker’s payment on the first day of unemployment,even if you do not have all the necessary documents. If you delay inapplying you may lose some payment.

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You must also satisfy other conditions for each payment. See over fordetails of these conditions.

Jobseeker’s Benefit was previously called Unemployment Benefit.

8.3 How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extraamounts for a qualified adult and any qualified children.

If you get one of the following payments you may qualify for half thepersonal rate of JB, but no increase for any qualified children:






If your spouse or partner works and their income is low you may still qualify for a payment for them. If you qualify for Jobseeker’s Allowance,a certain amount of your spouse’s or partner’s earnings will not be takeninto account when assessing your means.

8.4 How do I get my payment?

You may get Jobseeker’s Allowance or Jobseeker’s Benefit each week inarrears by direct payment into an account in a financial institution, bycheque or by postal draft, which you can collect in a post office using aswipe card.

NOTE

For Jobseeker’s Benefit you must have lost at least one day’s insurableemployment, including a loss of income.

For Jobseeker’s Allowance you must satisfy the Habitual ResidenceCondition (HRC). See information booklet SW 108 for moreinformation.

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Unemployment supports


You must meet the conditions in section 8.2 and your Jobseeker’sBenefit is based on your PRSI contributions. To qualify, you must have:

• 52 paid PRSI contributions since starting work,

and

• 39 paid or credited PRSI contributions in the relevant tax year

or

• 26 paid PRSI contributions in the relevant tax year and 26 paid PRSI contributions in the tax year before the relevant tax year.

The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year before the startof the benefit year in which you get your payment. The benefit yearstarts on the first Monday in January.

PRSI contributions at Classes A, H and P count.

Jobseeker’s Assistance (JA)

Jobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested payment. To qualify, you mustmeet the conditions in section 8.2 and pass a means test. A means test isa way of checking if you have enough means to support yourself and ifyou qualify for a payment.

Jobseeker’s Allowance was previously called UnemploymentAssistance.

Your means include:

• cash income belonging to you or your spouse or partner,

• the value of any savings, investments, shares or land,

• any property you may have (other than your own home), and

• maintenance paid to you if you are separated.


2006 20042007 2005

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A social welfare inspector may interview you about your means, and askyou for documents such as statements from your financial institution.


When working out your means from savings and investments, we addtogether the following items and use a formula to work out your means:

• cash value of investment and property (other than your own home),

• money in a financial institution,

• cash-in-hand, and

• income from an occupational pension or social security benefits from another country.

8.5 Can I work while getting a jobseeker’s payment?

You may do some work and receive some Jobseeker’s Benefit orJobseeker's Allowance as long as you meet the other conditions of eachpayment.

Working and Jobseeker’s Benefit

Your weekly Jobseeker’s Benefit is normally paid for up to 6 days a week.For example, if you work 2 days a week, you may get JB for the other 4days. However, see systematic short-time working on page 168..



Note

If you are living with a parent or step-parent in the family home and aged over 18 and under 25 years you may beassessed on the benefit and privilege derived from their income.

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Systematic short-time working

If your normal working week is reduced, you may get JB for the days youdo not work. However, the total number of days at work and on JBcannot be more than 5 in a week. For example, if you are on a 3 dayweek, you may get JB only for the other 2 days.

Working and Jobseeker’s Allowance

You may receive a reduced Jobseeker's Allowance payment if you workpart-time or casually for up to 3 days a week. We work out the paymentas follows:

• If you have qualified children, you may get Jobseeker’s Allowance forthe full week minus 60% of your normal net weekly earnings (yourearnings each week after tax, PRSI and union dues). For example, ifyour normal net weekly earnings are €100, your payment for theweek is your Jobseeker’s Allowance minus €60.

or

• If you do not have any qualified children, we deduct €12.70 per dayworked from your normal net weekly earnings and assess 60% of theremainder as your means. We then deduct your means from yourweekly Jobseeker’s Allowance payment and pay you the balance.

Self-employment and Jobseeker’s Allowance

If you are self-employed, you may qualify for JA, depending on theincome from your business. If you are a self-employed farmer on a lowincome, you should apply for Farm Assist. See Section 9.2 for details.

8.6 Optional Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA)

You may opt to get JA instead of JB if you qualify for both.

This option may benefit you if:

• you were on a Community Employment Scheme before applying,

• you only qualify for a reduced rate of JB,

• you are working casually,

• you were getting JA in the year immediately before your JB claim,

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or

• you have an entitlement to Long Term JA and have children between the ages of 18 and 22 in full-time education.

Points To Note

Pre-Retirement Allowance (PRETA)

If you are age 55 or over and have been receiving Jobseeker’s Benefit orJobseeker’s Allowance for 390 days (15 months) or more, you may opt toretire from the workforce. See Section 4.4 for further details.

Credits

If you exhaust your entitlement to Jobseeker’s Benefit and do not qualifyfor Jobseeker’s Allowance, you may sign for credited contributions. SeeSection 2.8 for full details of credits.

8.7 Extra benefits

If you are getting Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance or PRETA, you mayalso get:

— Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement,

— Fuel Allowance,

— Smokeless Fuel Allowance,

— Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance,

— Medical Card,

— School Book Scheme.


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This section outlines the employment supports and the training and educational options available from this Department and other agencies, and discusses the role of the Facilitator.

It covers:


• Farm Assist,

• Facilitators,

• Back to Work Allowance (Employees),

• Back to Work Enterprise Allowance,

• Part-Time Job Incentive,

• PRSI Exemption Scheme,

• Revenue Job Assist,

• Partnership,

• Study,

• Back to Education Allowance (BTEA),

• the Education, Training and Development Option, and

• work and your medical card.

Section 9Employment supports and educational options


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9.1 Family Income Supplement

Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly payment for families,including one parent families, at work on low pay. It is not subject toincome tax and does not affect whether you can get a medical card.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify if:

— you work at least 19 hours every week (or 38 hours everyfortnight)* in paid full-time employment that you expect to last for3 months,

— you have at least one qualified child under age 18 or aged 18 to 22in full-time education who normally lives with and is beingsupported by you, and

— your average weekly income is below a fixed amount for yourfamily size.

* If you are married or cohabiting (living with someone as husband andwife) you may combine your hours with those of your spouse or partner.

If both you and your spouse or partner are working, your income will be added together.

Lone parents who work may qualify.

The main items counted as income are:

• your assessable earnings (see below),

• your spouse’s or partner’s assessable earnings (see below),

• any extra income for you or your spouse or partner from employment(such as payments for overtime, bonuses, allowances or commission),

• income for you or your spouse or partner from self-employment, and

• other income, including social welfare or Health Service Executivepayments except:

• Child Benefit


• Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) or Guardian’s Payment(Non-Contributory)172

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• Supplementary Welfare Allowance,

• Rent Allowance,

• Domiciliary Care Allowance,

• Foster Child Allowance,

• unearned income, for example, rent from property or intereston savings,

• income from a charity,

• income from providing accommodation to students studyingIrish in Gaeltacht areas under a scheme administered by theMinister for the Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

What are assessable earnings?

For FIS, assessable earnings are gross pay minus:

• tax,

• employee PRSI,

• superannuation (pension contribution).

How much can I get?

Your payment is 60% of the difference between your weekly income andthe income limit for your family size. Even if you only qualify for a smallFIS payment, you will still get a minimum of €20 a week.

The income limits for different family sizes and the minimum payments ofFIS are in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

If you have three children and your weekly assessable familyincome is €300, your FIS payment is calculated as follows:

— Income limit €565.00— Your weekly assessable income - €300.00— difference €265.00

Weekly FIS payment €159.00

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Employment supports and educational options


FIS is paid by direct payment into your account in a financial institution.Please contact FIS section to discuss alternative arrangements.


FIS is paid for 52 weeks while you continue working for at least 19 hoursa week or 38 hours a fortnight. It is not affected by any change in familycircumstances (except on the birth of a child, when we will review yourpayment).

Extra benefits

If you are getting FIS you may get:

• Smokeless Fuel Allowance (if you are living in certain areas where the sale of bituminous coal is banned), and

• Assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme, i.e.Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.


FIS and other social welfare payments

If you are a lone parent on low earnings, you may qualify for FIS inaddition to your One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit orWidow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension. If you are getting a Back to Work Allowance as an employee, you may qualify for a FIS payment.

You may receive FIS with Illness Benefit for up to 6 weeks.

You cannot get FIS if you are:

• getting Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance, State Pension (Transition),Pre-Retirement Allowance, or included on your spouse’s or partner’sclaim as a qualified adult.

You may not get FIS if you are taking part in a Community EmploymentScheme or FÁS schemes except Job Initiative and Social EconomyProgramme.

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You should apply for FIS as soon as your average weekly income is below the income limit for your family size.

You can get an application form from your local Social Welfare Office orfrom:

Family Income Supplement SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3000LoCall Leaflet Line 1890 20 23 25

For further details, see information booklet SW 22 or contact FamilyIncome Supplement Section at the address above.

9.2 Farm Assist

Farm Assist is a weekly means-tested payment for low income farmers.Farmers who have income from another source (such as other self-employment, insurable employment, or capital) may still qualify for apayment under the Farm Assist Scheme.

Note

If you are taking up work and think you will be eligible for FIS, you should apply as soon as you take up the work even if you cannot fill in all the details on the application form. This will avoid any loss of the supplement.

Note

If your spouse or partner is getting Jobseeker’s Benefit orAllowance, State Pension (Transition) or Pre-RetirementAllowance, you may still qualify. However, their social welfarepayment will be assessed as income.

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How do I qualify?


• are a farmer,

• are aged between 18 and 66, and


How much can I get?

Your payment is made up of a personal rate for yourself with extraamounts for a qualified adult and qualified children. Your weekly rate of payment is the difference between your weekly means assessment andthe maximum rate of Farm Assist.

The current rates of Farm Assist are shown in the Rates of Paymentbooklet SW 19.

For more details, see information booklet SW 27.

9.3 Facilitators

Facilitators are part of our Employment Support Service. They can help you take up the wide range of work and educational optionsavailable from this Department and other agencies such as FÁS.

If you need help and advice, contact the Facilitator at your local SocialWelfare Office.

9.4 Back to Work Allowance (BTWA)

This is a weekly payment for unemployed people who take up approvedemployment. It allows you to keep a portion of your social welfarepayment for 3 years without having to pay tax or PRSI on it.

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How do I qualify?

Employees

You may qualify if you are:

• aged 23 or over, and

• getting jobseekers payments for 2 years or more and have anentitlement to Jobseeker’s Allowance of a weekly rate greater than€50.79 for a single person or €78.72 if married or cohabiting.

Time spent on FÁS or Fáilte Ireland training, FIT, CommunityEmployment, Rural Social Scheme, Social Economy Programme, JobInitiative, Back to Education schemes, VTOS or in prison is accepted as aperiod of unemployment.

You may also qualify if you are getting one of the following payments for15 months (12 months if you are aged 50 or over):


• Blind Pension,


• Carer’s Allowance (in cases where the carer has ceased caring on atemporary or permanent basis),

• Farm Assist,


• Incapacity Supplement,

• Pre-Retirement Allowance,




or

• Illness Benefit (for 3 years or more).

If you are released from prison you may also qualify provided you satisfythe necessary criteria,

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or

you are a qualified adult of an eligible claimant for BTWA. The claimantmust transfer their entitlement to you,

or

time spent by asylum seekers and homeless persons gettingSupplementary Welfare Allowance or Direct Provision will count towardsthe qualifying period provided they are entitled to a relevant socialwelfare payment before starting on this scheme.

Employers

Employers who can provide suitable jobs are eligible to participate.

The work being offered must:

• not displace another employee,

• be a minimum of 20 hours a week,

• last at least 12 months.

Commission based, seasonal or temporary work is not allowed for thescheme.

Employers taking on new employees who receive the BTWA for the firsttime with them may qualify for the Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme(see Section 9.7).

Back to Work Allowance is not paid for jobs already funded under FÁS,Job Initiative or Revenue Job Assist.

Benefits to participants

You will receive payment for the BTWA (including increases for aqualified adult and any qualified children) for 3 years as follows:

— 75% of the weekly social welfare payment for the first year,

— 50% for the second year, and

— 25% for the third year.

You will also keep any ‘secondary benefits’ for 3 years (as long as thehousehold income is less than €317.43 gross a week).

Secondary benefits include:

• Fuel Allowance,

• Christmas Bonus,

• medical cards (the income limit does not apply),

• Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplement,

• Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance,

• Diet Supplement, and

• variable local authority rents.


How do I get paid the allowance?

You can get it by direct payment every week into your account in afinancial institution.


You must apply before starting work. You can get an application formfrom your local Social Welfare Office.

See information booklet SW 93 for further details or contact theFacilitator in your local Social Welfare Office.

9.5 Back to Work Enterprise Allowance (BTWEA)

This is a weekly payment for unemployed people who set up their own business. It allows you to keep a portion of your jobseeker’spayment for 4 years, and is not subject to PRSI or tax.

Time spent on FÁS or Fáilte Ireland training, FIT, CommunityEmployment Scheme, Rural Social Scheme, Social Economy Programme,Job Initiative, Back to Education schemes, VTOS or in prison is acceptedas a period of unemployment

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How do I qualify?


• are setting up a self-employment business that already has approvalin writing by a Partnership Company or Facilitator, and

• getting

— Jobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance for at least 2 years,

or

— One-Parent Family Payment, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Farm Assist, Incapacity Supplement, Pre-Retirement Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension, Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance or Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance for at least 12 months,

or

— Illness Benefit for 3 years or longer.

If you are released from prison you may also qualify as long as you satisfythe other conditions for the allowance,

or

you are a qualified adult of an eligible claimant for BTWEA. The claimantmust transfer their entitlement to you,

or

time spent by asylum seekers and homeless persons gettingSupplementary Welfare Allowance or Direct Provision will count towardsthe qualifying period provided they are entitled to a relevant socialwelfare payment before starting on this scheme.

Benefits to participants

You will receive payment for the BTWEA (including increases for aqualified adult and any qualified children) for 4 years as follows:

— 100% of your weekly social welfare payment for the first year,

— 75% for the second year,

— 50% for the third year, and

— 25% for the fourth year.180

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You will also keep any ‘secondary’ benefits for 4 years (as long as thehousehold income is less than €317.43 gross a week).

Secondary benefits include:

• Fuel Allowance,

• Christmas Bonus,

• medical cards (the income limit does not apply),

• Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplement,

• Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance,

• Diet Supplement, and

• variable local authority rents.


Additional supports

If you are starting a business, you may get extra supports such as:

• technical assistance and training grants (for training, market research,business plans, book-keeping etc),

• employment grants,

• preferential First Step loans,

• the credit union loan guarantee fund,

• assistance with public liability insurance.

You should do a ‘Start Your Own Business Course’ before startingself-employment.

For more details on supports, contact your local Partnership Company orthe Facilitator in your local Social Welfare Office.

How do I get paid the allowance?

You can get the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance by direct paymentevery week into your account in a financial institution.

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If you are getting Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit before going ontoBack to Work Enterprise Allowance, your payment will be arrangedthrough your local Social Welfare Office.


You should apply by filling in an application form, which you can get from your local Social Welfare Office. You must apply before you beginself-employment.

For more information, see information booklet SW 92 or contact yourlocal Facilitator or the local Partnership Company. See details ofaddresses in Appendix 4. You can also get information from:

Employment Support ServicesDept. of Social and Family AffairsP.O. Box 3840Dublin 2

Telephone: (01) 704 3165

9.6 Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme (PTJI)

The Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme allows certain long-termunemployed people to take up a part-time job and receive a specialweekly allowance instead of their jobseeker’s payment.

You may take part in the scheme if you get part-time work for under 24hours a week and immediately beforehand you were getting:

• Jobseekers’s Allowance for 15 months or more at a higher rate thanthe part-time job incentive rate payable in your case.

See SW 19 Rates of Payment booklet for current rate.

The job must be insurable at PRSI Class A or J.

You must agree to stay on the scheme for 2 months.

How is the allowance paid?

Payment is made each week at your local post office. You must go toyour local Social Welfare Office each week to give a signed declaration of the hours you have worked.

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You will be given a form to be completed by your employer at the end of each four week period. This form is to confirm that you worked for less than 24 hours each week and that you are insurably employed.

How long can you stay on the PTJI Scheme?

Initially, you can stay on the PTJI Scheme for 1 year. This can beextended for further periods. While on the scheme you should continueto look for full-time work.

Extra benefits

Medical Card – you will keep your medical card for the duration of thePTJI Scheme regardless of your earnings (up to a maximum of 3 years).

The Facilitator at your Social Welfare Local Office will be able to give youmore information on the Part-Time Job Incentive Scheme and on anyother available options.

See information leaflet SW 69 for further details.

How do I apply?

Once you have secured a part-time job you should contact your localSocial Welfare Office for application form PTA 1.

9.7 Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme

If you, the employer are taking on new employees who receive the Backto Work Allowance for the first time, at the date they start work with you,you may qualify for the Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme. This meansthat you will be exempt from paying the employers share of theemployees PRSI contribution for a maximum of 2 years subject to yousubmitting a current Tax Clearance Certificate or C2 card.

See information booklet SW 73 for further details.

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9.8 Revenue Job Assist

If you are getting a jobseeker’s payment for at least 12 months and takeup a job for at least 30 hours a week, which you expect to last at least 12months, you may qualify for Revenue Job Assist.

This means you may receive additional tax credits for 3 years. However,do not apply if you are on the Back to Work Allowance or employmentschemes except the Job Initiative Employment Scheme.

Contact your local tax office for more information.

9.9 Partnerships

Your local Partnership company offers a range of supports, includinginformation, training and assistance about finding work. See Appendix 4for a list of Partnerships around the country.

For more information or to check if you live in a Partnership area, contactArea Development Management (ADM).

Telephone: (01) 240 0700 Email: [email protected]: www.adm.ie

9.10 Study

You can avail of a full-time second or third level course, VTOS or aneducational training and development course, and still receive apayment. If you are not eligible for any of these options or if you do notwant to do a full-time course, you can attend a part-time course.

Contact the Facilitator at your local Social Welfare Office for moreinformation.

9.11 Back to Education Allowance

If you would you like to return to education, you may qualify for the Backto Education Allowance (BTEA). You may normally get the payment forthe length of the course, including holiday periods. However, if you weregetting a jobseeker’s payment before returning to education, you can getthe allowance only for the academic year.

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How do I qualify?

You will qualify for BTEA if you are :

• aged 21 or over, and

• getting one of the following social welfare payments for at least,

6 months (156 days) for a Second Level Course

12 months (312 days) for a Third Level Course

— Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit or Farm Assist,

— One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance, Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension, Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension or Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance, or

— Carer’s Allowance (in cases where the Carer has ceased caring on a temporary or permanent basis)

or

• age 18 or over, and

• getting one of the following social welfare payments for at least



— Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension or Incapacity Supplement (based on a life Disablement Pension)

or

• age between 18 and 20 years,

• out of formal education for 2 years, and

• getting one of the following social welfare payments for at least



— Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit,

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or

• age 18 or over, and

• getting Illness Benefit for at least 3 years.

Study options

Under the BTEA scheme, you may pursue a full-time second or third levelcourse of study.

How do I apply?

Contact your local second or third level school or college for details ofthe courses available and how to obtain a place on the course of yourchoice.

When you have been accepted on a course you should tell thisDepartment by filling in the form BTE 1. You can get this form from yourlocal Social Welfare Office or from the LoCall Leaflet Line, 1890 20 23 25.

How much can I get?

Back to Education Allowance is paid at a standard rate. If you arecurrently getting a reduced social welfare payment you will qualify for ahigher weekly rate of BTEA.


You may get Back to Education Allowance by direct payment every weekinto your account in a financial institution.

See information booklet SW 70 for details.

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Note

You may qualify for BTEA if getting a jobseeker’s payment for 9months (234 days) and the course you intend taking isrecommended by a FÁS Employment Service Officer as part ofyour National Employment Action Plan (NEAP) process.

9.12 Education, Training and Development Option

If you are getting a jobseeker’s payment and your choice of course is notcovered under the Back to Education Allowance Scheme, you may keepyour jobseeker’s payment while doing a course of education, training ordevelopment.

It must be clear that the course will enhance your employmentprospects. A broad range of courses are approved – from basic educationto general training or specific job skills. Before you start a course, youshould always check with your local Social Welfare Office to see if yoursocial welfare payment will be affected.

See information booklet SW 70 for details.

9.13 Work and your medical card

If you have a medical card and you have been unemployed for at least 12 months and get work, or take part in any of the schemes outlinedabove, you will keep your medical card for 3 years. Participants on theBTWEA will keep their medical card for the duration of the scheme.

Contact your local office of the Health Service Executive for moreinformation.

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You will need your Personal Public Service Numb er

(PPS No.) for all dealings with Government

Departments and public bodies such as Health

Service Executive or Revenue.

The PPS No. is part of the REACH programme

(www.reach.ie) aimed at developing more

integrated and better customer service. Future

benefits include fast and secure access to a wider

range of public services, reduced form filling and

improved service delivery.

If you already had an RSI No., you do not need

to apply for a PPS No.

See section 2.1 for more details

Your Personal PublicService Number

Department of Social and Family AffairsAn Roinn Gnóthaí Sóisialacha agus Teaghlaigh

www.welfare.ie

This section explains the range of extra benefits you may get withyour social welfare payment. It covers:

• Treatment Benefit,

• Bereavement Grant,

• Continuing payment after a death in the family,

• the National Fuel Scheme,

• Smokeless Fuel Allowance,

• Free Travel,


• Increase for Living Alone,

• Living on a specified Island,

• Rent Allowance for tenants affected by the De-control of rents.

Section 10Extra benefits


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10.1 Treatment Benefit

Treatment Benefit is a scheme that may allow you to qualify for:

• Dental Benefit,

• Optical Benefit,

• contact lenses, or

• hearing aids.

You may receive Treatment Benefit for treatment carried out in other EUmember states. Contact Treatment Benefit Section before you travel foran application form and details of the amounts the Department will pay.

Dental Benefit

Dental Benefit pays some of the cost of different dental treatments,including:

• dental examination and diagnosis,

• scaling and polishing (including mild gum treatment),

• severe gum treatment,

• fillings,

• extractions,

• dentures,

• root canal therapy.

You can get details of the amounts you need to pay from your dentist orfrom the Department.

Optical Benefit

Optical Benefit pays some of the cost of optical treatments including:

• eye examination*,

• glasses,

• replacement lenses for existing frames, and

• contact lenses (see across).190

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* The Department does not pay towards the cost of an eye examinationfor visual display units (VDUs), such as computers or for driving licences.

Contact lenses

If you choose contact lenses instead of glasses, the Department will pay a fixed amount and you must pay the balance. If, however, you needcontact lenses on medical grounds, the Department will pay up to halfthe cost, subject to a fixed maximum contribution, provided you have adoctor’s recommendation.

Hearing aids

The Department will pay up to half the cost of a hearing aid or repairs toa hearing aid subject to a fixed maximum contribution.

How do I qualify?

To qualify for Treatment Benefit you must satisfy the PRSI conditions.Only PRSI at Classes A, E, H and P count.

* In the case of the 39 paid or credited contributions, at least 13 must bepaid contributions in:

If you are: You must have at least:

Aged under 21 39 paid PRSI contributions since first startingwork.

Aged 21-24 39 paid PRSI contributions since first startingwork and 39 paid or credited PRSIcontributions* in the relevant tax year onwhich your claim is based.

Aged 25-65 260 paid PRSI contributions since firststarting work and 39 paid or credited PRSIcontributions* in the relevant tax year onwhich your claim is based.

Aged 66 or over 260 paid PRSI contributions since first (see page 192) starting work and 39 paid or credited PRSI

contributions* in either of the 2 relevant tax years on which your claim is based.

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• the relevant tax year, or

• either of the two previous tax years, or

• any tax year after the relevant tax year.

The 13 weeks paid contributions does not apply if you:

• reached age 66 before 6 July 1992,

• are aged 55 and over and receiving ‘unemployment credits’,

• are getting any of the following social welfare payments:

- Invalidity Pension,

- Carer’s Allowance,

- Carer’s Benefit,

- State Pension (Transition),

- Illness Benefit (for 12 months or more),

- a combination of Jobseeker’s Benefit and Allowance ( for 12 months or more),

- long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance,

- Pre-Retirement Allowance,

• are on a Community Employment Scheme, Back to Work Scheme,Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme or CommunityEmployment Development Programme.

Note

If you satisfy these conditions when you reach age 60, you willremain qualified for life.

For a claim made in: The relevant tax year is:

2006 20042007 2005

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If you are getting a State Pension, the PRSI contribution requirementsvary according to age as follows:

Treatment Benefit and EC Regulations

If you do not qualify for Treatment Benefit on your Irish social insurancerecord, but you worked and made social insurance contributions inanother country covered by EC Regulations, you may use your socialinsurance record in that country to help you qualify, as long as you havepaid at least one PRSI contribution at Class A, E, H or P since youreturned to Ireland. See Section 8 for details of these countries.

Note

If you satisfy these conditions when you reach pension age, youwill remain qualified for life.

If you reached You must have at least:age 66:

before 156 paid PRSI contributions since first 1 October 1987 starting work and 26 paid or credited PRSI

contributions in either of the 2 relevant taxyears on which your claim is based.

between 208 paid PRSI contributions since first 1 October 1987 starting work and 39 paid or credited PRSI and 6 July 1992 contributions in either of the 2 relevant tax

years on which your claim is based.

on or after 260 paid PRSI contributions since first 6 July 1992 starting work and 39 paid or credited PRSI

contributions in either of the 2 relevant taxyears, on which your claim is based.

Am I entitled to Treatment Benefit on my spouse’s orpartner’s social insurance record?

As a qualified adult, you can get Treatment Benefit on your spouse’s orpartner’s PRSI record provided they satisfy the qualifying conditions andyou:

• are dependent on your spouse or partner, or

• have a gross income of €76.18 or less a week, or

• earn more than €76.18 a week and were dependent on your spouseor partner before entering or resuming insurable employment atClass A, E, H or P, or

• are not getting a social welfare payment (except DisablementPension, Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Carer’s Benefit or ChildBenefit), or

• are getting Carer’s Allowance or State Pension (Non-Contributory) inyour own right and were dependent on your spouse or partnerimmediately prior to getting the Allowance or Pension.

Am I entitled to Treatment Benefit as a widow or widower?

If you were entitled to Treatment Benefit on your spouse’s or partner’sinsurance record at the time of their death, you will continue to beentitled for as long as you remain widowed.

If you are working and paying PRSI, you may qualify for Treatment Benefit on your own record provided you satisfy the PRSI qualifyingconditions.

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* On medical grounds.

If you wish to avail of treatment in another EU member state, pleasecontact Treatment Benefit Section before you travel, for an applicationform and details of the amounts the Department will pay.

For further details, see information booklet SW 24, or contact your localSocial Welfare Office or:

Treatment Benefit SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsSt. Oliver Plunkett RoadLetterkennyCo. Donegal

LoCall: 1890 400 400, ext. 4480Dublin (01) 704 3000

Type of application Treatment: forms: Available from:

Dental Benefit• applicant D 1• qualified adult D 2 Dental surgery

Optical Benefit• applicant O 1 Optician, Treatment Benefit • qualified adult O 2 Section or Local Social

Welfare Office

Hearing aids and contact lenses*• applicant MA 1 Suppliers or Treatment • qualified adult MA 2 Benefit Section

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10.2 Bereavement Grant

Bereavement Grant is based on PRSI contributions and is paid on thedeath of:

• an insured person,

• the wife or husband or partner of an insured person,

• the widow or widower of an insured person,

• a child under age 18, or under age 22 if in full-time education (basedon their parent’s or guardian’s conditions),

• a person receiving a contributory pension, for example, State Pension(Contributory),

• the spouse or partner of a person receiving a contributory pension,

• the qualified adult of a contributory pensioner, including those whowould be a qualified adult but are getting another social welfarepayment, for example Carer’s Allowance,

• a qualified child, and

• an orphan receiving Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) or on thedeath of their guardian.

A Bereavement Grant is payable:

(a) on the death of a person who has been receiving a contributorypension or on the death of their spouse or partner or qualifieddependants,

or

(b) on the death of a person who has been getting Guardian’sPayment (Contributory) or on the death of their guardian,

or

(c) if the person on whose social insurance record the claim is beingmade has at least 156 weeks PRSI paid since entry into insurableemployment,

or

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(d) if the person on whose social insurance record the claim is beingmade has at least 26 weeks PRSI paid since entry into insurableemployment,

and

(i) 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the relevant tax year (see below for details on the relevant tax year),

or

(ii) a yearly average of 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited over the 3 or 5tax years before the relevant tax year,

or

(iii) a yearly average of 26 weeks PRSI paid or credited since 1979 (orsince starting work if later) and the end of the tax year before thedeath occurred or pension age was reached (age 66 at present),

or

(iv) a yearly average of 26 weeks PRSI paid or credited since 1stOctober 1970 (or since starting work if later) and the end of thetax year before the death occurred or pension age was reached(age 66 at present).

*The relevant tax year is the second last complete tax year before theperson died or reached pension age.

6

PRSI paid at Classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, N and S count for theBereavement Grant. Voluntary contributions count.

If the person on whose PRSI record you are applying was previouslyinsurably employed in another country covered by EC Regulations andhas paid at least one full-rate PRSI contribution since returning to Ireland,you may combine the insurance record in that country with the personsIrish PRSI contributions to help you qualify for a Bereavement Grant.

If a person died or reached The relevant tax year is:pension age in:

2006 20042007 2005

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You can also use a person’s periods of insurance or residence in countrieswith which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement to qualify forBereavement Grant.

Countries with which Ireland has an Agreement:

• Australia • Canada • New Zealand • Switzerland• Austria • Québec • the United States of America. • the United Kingdom

How much can I get?

Bereavement Grant is a once-off payment of €635.

Who gets the payment?

Bereavement Grant is paid to the person responsible for paying thefuneral bill.


You should apply for Bereavement Grant within 12 months of the date ofdeath.

You can get a application form from your local Social Welfare Office orfrom:

Bereavement Grant SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3000LoCall Leaflet Line 1890 20 23 25

For further details, see information booklet SW 47.

10.3 Continuing social welfare payment after a death in thefamily

If a person dies while receiving a social welfare payment, in certaincircumstances, the payment will continue to be paid to the qualifiedadult for 6 weeks.

Entitlement to a continuation of a social welfare payment after death isas follows:

If the deceasedwas:

getting an increasefor a qualified adultwith any ofpayments listed

getting any of thepayments listed

a dependent child

a qualified adult

a person receivingfull-time care andattention

and you are:

a qualified adult

a spouse gettingone of thepayments listed

getting an increasefor a qualified childwith one of thepayments listed

getting one of thepayments listed

getting Carer’sAllowance orCarer’s Benefit inrespect of thatperson

you will get:

6 weeks of thedeceased person’spayment includingthe increase for aqualified adult

6 weeks of thedeceased person’spayment plus yourown payment

6 weeks of yourown paymentincluding theincrease for aqualified child

6 weeks of yourown paymentincluding theincrease for aqualified adult

6 weeks Carer’sAllowance orCarer’s Benefit, asappropriate

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Relevant payments• Blind Pension,

• Carer’s Allowance

• Carer’s Benefit

• Death Benefit under the Injury Benefit Scheme



• Farm Assist

• Injury Benefit,


• State Pension (Contributory) and Non-Contributory Pensions,

• One-Parent Family Payment

• Pre-Retirement Allowance,


• Supplementary Welfare Allowance,



• Incapacity Supplement,

• Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension

How do I apply?

Send notice about the date of death as soon as possible to the section ofthe Department dealing with the social welfare payment.

If the payment was made by a book of payable orders, you should returnthe book with the notice of death. Arrangements will be made tocontinue the payment for 6 weeks.

Note

You cannot get a Widow’s or Widower’s Pension or One-ParentFamily Payment (Widowed) until the end of the 6 week period.

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10.4 National Fuel Scheme

The National Fuel Scheme is intended to help households that dependon long-term social welfare or Health Service Executive payments and areunable to provide for their own heating needs.

A household may receive only one Fuel Allowance.

How do I qualify?

You may qualify for a Fuel Allowance if you are:

• getting one of the following payments:

— State Pension (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory),

— State Pension (Transition),




— Blind Pension,



— Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance,

— Guardian’s Payment (Contributory),

— Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory),

— Pre-Retirement Allowance,

— Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance,

— Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance,


— Farm Assist,

— Disabled Person’s Rehabilitative Allowance,

— Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance,

— Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance,201

Extra benefits

— a special Department of Defence Allowance, or

— a social security payment from a country covered by ECRegulations or a country with which Ireland has a BilateralSocial Security Agreement,

• taking part in an employment, educational or a Rural Social Schemeand allowed to keep secondary benefits,

and

• living alone or only with:

— a spouse or partner and or children for whom an increase isbeing paid (see Section 1.2 for details),

— a person who gives you full-time care and attention if you are ill or incapacitated,

— a person getting short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, or

— other people getting one of the payments listed on page 201who would also qualify for Fuel Allowance in their own right,

and

• unable to pay for your heating needs. To fulfil this condition, yourhousehold must satisfy a means test.

You may qualify for Fuel Allowance based on your payment from anothercountry if you are:

• living in Ireland, and

• aged 66 or over, or

• under age 66 and getting Invalidity Pension or Benefit (for over 12months), or a Widow’s or Widower’s Pension or an equivalentpayment from another country.

Removal of restriction on people with subsidised heating

As announced in the Budget 2006, tenants living in Local Authoritycomplexes with communal heating arrangements may now qualify forfuel allowance if they satisfy the other conditions of the scheme.

The rate of the Fuel Allowance is shown in the Rates of Payment bookletSW 19.

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How much can I get?

The rate of the Fuel Allowance is shown in the Rates of Payment BookletSW19.


You will usually get Fuel Allowance as part of your weekly payment, inthe manner by which you are being paid.


Fuel Allowance is paid for 29 weeks from late September to mid-April.

Which household member should apply?

Only one person in any household can get Fuel Allowance , no matterhow many people in the household qualify for it. If you are living with asocial welfare pensioner who qualifies for Fuel Allowance in their ownright, the pensioner should apply.


You should apply to the office that pays your social welfare payment (see Appendix 1 for relevant address). If you are getting long-termJobseeker’s Allowance, you should apply at your local Social WelfareOffice.

If you are getting a payment from the Health Service Executive, youshould apply to the Community Welfare Officer at your local office of theHealth Service Executive.

If you are getting a social security payment from a country covered byEC Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral SocialSecurity Agreement, you should complete application form NFS 1 andapply to the section of Department of Social and Family Affairs dealingwith the equivalent Irish payment.

If you think you are eligible, you should apply without delay as theallowance cannot be backdated.

For more details, see information booklet SW 17 or contact theappropriate section or office dealing with your payment.

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10.5 Smokeless Fuel Allowance

This allowance helps low income households meet the extra costs ofusing smokeless or low smoke fuels in certain areas* where the sale of bituminous fuel is banned.

* These areas include Arklow, Bray, Celbridge, Cork, Drogheda, Dublin,Dundalk, Galway city, Kilkenny city, Leixlip, Limerick city, Naas, Sligo,Tralee, Waterford city and Wexford.

Only one Smokeless Fuel Allowance is payable to any household.

How do I qualify?

If you live within certain built-up areas you may qualify for a SmokelessFuel Allowance if you are getting:

• Fuel Allowance under the National Fuel Scheme,

or


or

• one of the following payments for at least 13 weeks:

— Illness Benefit,

— Jobseeker’s Benefit, or

— Jobseeker’s Allowance.

You must also satisfy the conditions for the Fuel Allowance (see Section10.4 for details).

How much can I get?

The rate of the Smokeless Fuel Allowance is shown in the Rates ofPayment booklet SW 19.


If you are already getting a Fuel Allowance, the Smokeless FuelAllowance will be included automatically.

If you are getting Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’s Benefit or short-termJobseeker’s Allowance, you will receive a application form automaticallyand if you qualify, the allowance will be included in your weeklypayment.

If you are getting Family Income Supplement, you will also receive anapplication form automatically. If you qualify, the allowance will be paideach week by a separate book of payable orders that you can cash eachweek at a chosen post office.


The Smokeless Fuel Allowance is paid for 29 weeks from late September to mid-April.


There is no need to apply for this allowance if you are already getting theFuel Allowance. If you are not getting it, you will automatically get anapplication form at the start of the fuel season or when you becomeeligible.

If you are getting Family Income Supplement, Illness Benefit, Jobseeker’sBenefit or short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, you should contact theappropriate Section or Office dealing with your payment. For moredetails see information leaflet SW 17a.

10.6 Free Travel

Free Travel is available to people aged 66 or over and to certainincapacitated people under age 66. It allows you to use public transport,and a large number of private bus and ferry services, free of charge. Yourspouse or partner may also travel free with you.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for free travel if you are:

• living permanently in the State, and

• aged 66 or over,205

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or

• under age 66 and blind or severely visually impaired or getting one ofthe following payments:

— Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance or Carer’s Allowance ,

— an invalidity payment for at least 12 months from a country covered by EC Regulations or one with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement (see Section 3 for details ofthese countries),

— Incapacity Supplement or Workmen’s Compensation with Disablement Pension for at least 12 months.

• You may also qualify for free travel if you live in Health ServiceExecutive approved residential care and were previously gettingDisability Allowance or would satisfy the medical conditions andmeans test for Disability Allowance,

or

• you are a specified carer for a person getting Constant AttendanceAllowance or Prescribed Relatives Allowance from this Department.

Concession – widows and widowers

If you are a widow or widower, aged 60 to 65 and your late spouse held aFree Travel Pass you may qualify for a Standard Free Travel Pass in yourown right.

To qualify, you must have been permanently living with your late spouse,be getting one of the following payments and satisfy the other conditionsof the Scheme:





• Widow’s or Widower’s Pension under the Occupational InjuriesBenefits Scheme,

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• similar social security payment from a country covered by ECRegulations or with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social SecurityAgreement,

or

• an ordinary Garda Widow’s Pension from the Department of Justice.

Where and when can I use my Free Travel Pass?

Free travel is available on all scheduled road and rail services of DublinBus (except NITELINK and special Dublin Airport services), Bus Éireann,Iarnród Éireann (including mainline, outer suburban and DART Services)LUAS and certain private bus and ferry services.

From 25 September 2006 all restrictions on travel on public transport atmorning and evening peak times for holders of Free Travel Passes will belifted.

Free cross-border travel: Holders of a Free Travel Pass from theDepartment of Social and Family Affairs or Northern Ireland may makecross-border journeys free of charge between the Republic of Ireland andNorthern Ireland.

Aer Arann: If you permanently live on any of the Aran Islands, yourFree Travel Pass covers you for up to 6 return or 12 single air trips eachyear to Aerfort Chonamara or Indreabhán (Inverin), Co. Galway and to afree bus service operated between Indreabhán (Inverin) and Galway CityCentre. If you live on the mainland, you may travel on Aer Arann’s airlineand bus service between Galway city and the Aran Islands at a reducedcost. This also applies to free cross border travel from Northern Irelandand the Aran Islands.

Helicopter Service to and from Tory Island: If you live permanently on Tory Island, Co. Donegal, your Free Travel Pass covers you for 4 returnor 8 single journeys each year on the seasonal helicopter servicebetween the island and Falcarragh on the mainland.

Who can travel with me?

If you qualify for a Free Travel Pass and you are married or cohabiting,that is, living with a man or woman as husband and wife, your spouse orpartner does not have to pay, when travelling with you.

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If you qualify for a Companion Free Travel Pass, you may have one person aged 16 or over accompany you when travelling.

Companion Free Travel Pass

You may qualify for a Companion Free Travel Pass if you satisfy one of thefollowing conditions:

• you are getting Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension orDisablement Pension and Incapacity Supplement and are medicallyassessed as being unfit to travel alone,

• you are aged 66 or over, medically unfit to travel alone, getting one ofthe qualifying payments and before reaching age 66 you were gettingDisability Allowance or Invalidity Pension, Disablement Pension andIncapacity Supplement or DPMA and are medically assessed as beingunfit to travel alone,

• you are in Health Service Executive approved residential care, adoctor has confirmed that you are unfit to travel alone and you:

— were previously getting either Disability Allowance from this Department or Disabled Person’s Maintenance Allowance (DPMA) from the Health Service Executive,

or

— currently have an injury, disease, illness or physical or mental disability, that make you medically suitable for Disability Allowance,

• you are blind or severely visually impaired, and you:

— are getting a Blind Pension,

or

— satisfy the blindness condition for Blind Pension,

or

— are registered as a blind person with either the National Council for the Blind of Ireland or National League of the Blindof Ireland,

or

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— are aged 66 or over and getting a qualifying payment and before reaching age 66, you were getting either a Blind Pensionor a Blind Person’s Tax Credit.

or

• you are getting a qualifying payment and are medically certified byeither the Irish Wheelchair Association or by your Doctor as being apermanent wheelchair user,

or

• you are receiving full-time care and attention from a person who is being paid a Carer’s Allowance for you,

or

• you are age 75 or over and medically certified as being unfit to travelalone.

For more details of who is eligible for a Companion Free Travel Pass and how to apply see information booklet SW 40.

When and how do I apply for a standard Free Travel Pass?

You will get a Free Travel Pass automatically at age 66 if you are getting apension from this Department.

If you are under age 66, you will get a Free Travel Pass automaticallywhen you get Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance orCarer’s Allowance.

In all other cases you must apply for a Free Travel Pass. You should dothis one month before your 66th birthday or as soon as possible after youreach age 66.

You can get application form FT 1 from your local Social Welfare Office,or by contacting the address below.

Free Travel SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo

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Telephone: LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 ext. 48345 - from the Republic of Ireland

or00 353 71 914 8345 - from Northern Ireland or overseas

For more details, see information booklet SW 40 or contact Free Travel Section at the address across.

10.7 Household Benefits Package

The Household Benefits Package is made up of 3 allowances, theElectricity or Gas Allowance, the Telephone Allowance and the FreeTelevision Licence. These allowances provide contributions towards yourelectricity or natural gas or bottled gas refill bill and telephone bill andcover the cost of your Television Licence each year. The allowances areapplied directly to your bills, where applicable. For further details on theindividual allowances please see information booklet SW 107.

How do I qualify?

You may qualify if you are:

• aged 70 or over

or

• getting Carer’s Allowance

or

• aged under 70, are getting a qualifying payment (see page 211) andyou live alone or only with certain excepted persons (see page 214),

or

• aged between 66 and 69, satisfy a means test and live alone or onlywith certain excepted persons (see page 214).

As well as the above conditions, you must also satisfy three of thefollowing conditions:

— you must be permanently living (that is, year-round) at the addressat which you wish the allowance(s) to be applied. In general, theallowances do not apply if you live in a nursing or retirement homeif the accommodation is not fully self-contained.

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However, if you are aged 70 or over and live in a nursing orretirement home and have your own telephone account, you mayget Telephone Allowance,

— you must be the only person in your household to get theallowance,

— you must be the registered consumer of electricity or gas if you areapplying for an Electricity Allowance or Natural Gas Allowanceand the registered telephone account holder if you are applyingfor Telephone Allowance.

List of qualifying payments for persons aged between 66 and 70

• State Pension (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory),


• Blind Pension,

• Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension,



• One Parent Family Payment,


• an ordinary Garda Widow’s Pension from the Department of Justice,Equality and Law Reform,

• an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by ECRegulations, or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral SocialSecurity Agreement.

List of qualifying payments for persons aged under 66


• Blind Pension,

• Incapacity Supplement or Workmen’s Compensation withDisablement Pension for at least 12 months,

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• an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by ECRegulations, or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral SocialSecurity Agreement.

List of excepted people

In certain cases, you may live with the following people and still qualify:

• a Qualified Adult. Your spouse or partner is a qualified adult if youare getting an increase for them with your payment or you wouldreceive an increase for a qualified adult for them with your paymentbut for the fact that they are getting a social welfare payment in theirown right.

• qualified child(ren) under age 18 (or under age 22 if in full-timeeducation) You must supply a certificate from the school or collegefor any child aged 18 or over,

• a person who is so incapacitated as to require constant care andattention for at least 12 months (you may need to supply medicalcertification),

• a person who would qualify for the allowances in their own right (forexample, a person getting a State Pension),

• a person who is providing you, or someone in your household, withconstant care and attention, if you or that person is so incapacitatedthat you need constant care and attention for at least 12 months (youmay need to supply medical certification). If the person is inemployment for more than 10 hours per week or they are gettingJobseeker’s Benefit or Allowance they cannot be accepted asproviding constant full-time care and attention.

Concession for widows and widowers aged 60 to 65

If you are a widow or widower, aged 60 to 65 inclusive and your latespouse was getting a Telephone Allowance, Electricity, Natural Gas orBottled Gas Refill Allowance or Free Television Licence from thisDepartment and before their death you were permanently livingtogether, you may now apply for the allowances in the HouseholdBenefits Package.

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You must get one of the following payments and satisfy the qualifyingconditions on page 210:

— State Pension (Transition) (payable at age 65),


— Widow’s or Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension

— One-Parent Family Payment (Widow’s or Widower’s)

— Widow’s or Widower’s Pension under the Occupational InjuriesBenefits Scheme,

or

— an equivalent social security payment from a country covered byEC Regulations, or a country with which Ireland has a BilateralSocial Security Agreement,

or

— an ordinary Garda Widow’s Pension from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

Concession for people transferring from Invalidity Pension,Disability Allowance or Blind Pension

If you are getting Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance or Blind Pensionand you are getting any of the allowances under the Household BenefitsPackage you may be entitled to retain the Household Benefits Package ifyou transfer to certain other payments from this Department. You maynot keep the Household Benefits Package if you transfer to Jobseeker’sBenefit or Allowance, Illness Benefit, Pre-Retirement Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment or Carer’s Benefit.

How do I apply?

Complete the application form HB1, which is included with theinformation booklet SW 107. You can also get form HB1 from your localSocial Welfare Office, Post Office or from the address overleaf:

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Free Schemes SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeFREEPOSTCollege RoadSligo

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 ext. 48371 - from the Republic of Ireland or

00 353 71 916 9800 - from Northern Ireland or overseas

If you are applying for the Household Benefits Package on the basis ofthe means test, we will send you a separate means test questionnaire tocomplete.

10.8 Increase for Living Alone

The Increase for Living Alone is paid to people who mainly live alone andget certain payments from the Department of Social and Family Affairs. Ifyou qualify, you get the increase with your social welfare payments eachweek.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify for the increase if you:

• get one of the following social welfare payments:

(a) if you are under age 66



— Blind Pension,


or

(b) if you are aged 66 or over

— State Pension (Contributory),

— State Pension (Non-Contributory),

— Blind Pension,





— Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance,

— Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance,

— Widow’s or Widower’s Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme,

— Incapacity Supplement.

You must notify the Department IMMEDIATELY if you are no longer living alone.


If you are under 66 and getting one of the payments listed at (a), youshould apply for an Increase for Living Alone as soon as you start living alone.

Alternatively, if you are getting one of the payments listed at (b), youshould apply 3 months before you reach age 66 or if you are aged 66 or over, you should apply as soon as you start living alone.

You should complete claim form (LA 1) and send it to the section whopays your pension or allowance.

10.9 Living on a specified island

You may qualify for an increase in the payments listed below if you:

• usually live on certain islands off the coast of Ireland,

• are aged 66 or over, and

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• are getting one of the following social welfare payments:

— State Pension (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory),

— Blind Pension,



— Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory or Non-Contributory Pensions,

— Carer’s Allowance,


— Widow’s or Widower’s Benefit under the OccupationalInjuries Scheme.

You may qualify if you are under 66, if you are getting Invalidity Pension,Disability Allowance, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.

For more information, including details of the islands, check with thesection dealing with your payment.

If you are getting an equivalent payment in another EU country and yousatisfy the above conditions you may also qualify. Apply to the sectionmaking the equivalent payment.

10.10Rent Allowance for tenants affected by the De-control of Rents

Rent Allowance is paid to tenants of certain dwellings affected by the de-control of rents on 26 July 1982. Following the de-control of rents, atenant who suffers hardship due to a rent increase may qualify for a RentAllowance.

How do I qualify?

You will qualify if you satisfy all of the following conditions:

• on 26 July 1982, you must have been the tenant of a dwelling thatwas subject to rent control until that date. Your spouse or a memberof your family may be eligible for an allowance when you die,

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• you are entitled to remain a tenant of that dwelling,

• your rent and the terms of the tenancy must have been fixed by adistrict court or the Rent Tribunal and be written down. The landlord(or their agent) must sign them and give you a copy,

• the landlord must register the tenancy and details of any new rentwith the local housing authority,

• you satisfy a means test.

Means test

A means test is a way of checking if you have enough means to supportyourself and what amount of social welfare payment, if any, you mayqualify for.

Your means are any income or property (except your home) or an assetthat could bring in money or provide you with an income.

Your means may be worked out by Rent Allowance Section or a SocialWelfare Inspector may call to interview you at your home. They willneed to ask you for details about items that count as means and may askyou to produce documents such as accounts or statements from afinancial institution.

How much can I get?

The most you can get is the difference between your original rent (or a specified amount) and your new rent.

You will get full rent allowance if your means are below a certain amount.If your means are above this amount however, the allowance will bereduced. Your allowance may also be reduced on account of othermembers of your household.


The allowance is paid as long as you remain the tenant of the dwellingand satisfy the qualifying conditions.

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Extra benefits


You should apply for the allowance as soon as possible after yourlandlord has registered your new rent and the tenancy with the localhousing authority.

Do not delay more than 3 months from the date the new rent comes intoeffect. If you apply later than this, you may lose some payment as we willonly backdate it for 3 months. See information leaflet SW 58 for furtherdetails.

You can get an application form from your local Social Welfare Office orfrom:

Rent Allowance SectionSocial Welfare Services OfficeGovernment BuildingsBallinalee RoadLongford

Telephone: Longford (043) 45211Dublin (01) 704 3000Locall Leaflet Line 1890 20 23 25

Note

If you do not qualify for this allowance but you need assistancewith your rent, you may qualify under the SupplementaryWelfare Allowance Scheme. See Section 11 for more details.

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219

Extra benefits

Funded & Supported by comhairle

You can get independent information on rights andentitlements to all social services from your localCitizens Information Centre.

The service is free, confidential and independent.

Citizen information is available from over 220 locations nationwide.The contact details and opening hours of your nearest CitizensInformation Centre are listed in the Golden Pages. Alternatively, LoCall Citizens Information Phone Service on 1890 777 121 or log onto www.oasis.gov.ie

Citizen Information Services are funded by Comhairle, who areresponsible for the provision of independent information, advice andadvocacy on social and civil services to the public. Comhairle is astatutory agency supported by the Department of Social & FamilyAffairs.

WHAT IS PRSI?PRSI is a contribution payable in respect of everyone aged 16 or over who is in insurableemployment or who is self-employed.

WHAT AM I COVEREDFOR?Your entitlements are determinedby the Class of PRSI you arepaying. Most people pay Class Awhich entitles them to the fullrange of PRSI payments. Peoplerecruited to the Civil Service andPublic Sector after 6 April 1995also pay Class A.

The chart across sets out the PRSIbased payments and the classes of PRSI which cover them.

MORE INFORMATIONIf you would like more information please contact:

Information Services, Department of Social & Family Affairs, Pearse Street, Dublin 2. Tel: 01 704 3000 Fax: 01 704 2402

Information is also available on the Department’s website:www.welfare.ie

PAYMENT PRSI CLASS

Jobseeker’s Benefit A, H, P

Illness Benefit A, E, H, P

Maternity Benefit A, E, H, S

Adoptive Benefit A, E, H, S

Health & Safety Benefit A, E, H

Invalidity Pension A, E, H

Widow’s or Widower’s Contributory Pension A, B, C, D, E, H, S

Guardian’s Payment Contributory A, B, C, D, E, H, S

State Pension (Contributory) A, E, H, S

State Pension (Transition) A, E, H

Bereavement Grant A, B, C, D, E, H, S

Treatment Benefit (Dental or Optical) A, E, H, P

Occupational Injuries Benefit A, B, D, J, M

Carer’s Benefit A, B, C, D, E, H

P R S I ( PAY R E L AT E D S O C I AL I N S U R AN C E )

Protecting your future Social Welfareentitlements

This section describes the payments under Supplementary WelfareAllowances scheme.

It covers:

• Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplements,

• special needs supplements,

• exceptional needs payments,

• urgent needs payments, and

• Back-to-School Clothing and Footwear Allowance.

.

Section 11Supplementary Welfare Allowance


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11.1 Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Supplementary Welfare Allowance is run by the Health Service Executivethrough Community Welfare Officers at local offices of the Health ServiceExecutive.

Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance

Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid topeople who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those oftheir qualified adult or any qualified children.

How do I qualify?

You will normally qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if you:


• have applied for certain other social welfare payments,

• have registered for work with FÁS if you are of working age,

and

• are habitually resident in the State.

You will not normally qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if you are:

• working full-time, that is, 30 hours or more a week,

• in full-time education, or

• involved in a trade dispute.

However, you may still claim Supplementary Welfare Allowance for aqualified adult or any qualified children.

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Means test

A means test is a way of checking if you have enough means to supportyourself and what amount of payment, if any, you may qualify for.

Your means include:

• all cash income, including most social welfare and Health Service Executive (HSE) payments, except Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and Blind Welfare Allowance,

• investments, savings or property (except your own home), and

• the value of any benefit or privilege for example, free board and lodging.

If you are married or living with a partner as husband and wife, yourincomes are added together for the means test.

How investments and savings are assessed

For Supplementary Welfare Allowance, we use the formula below toassess your means:

• 5% of the first €520, and

• 10% of the balance.

We add the figures together to get the yearly value of means. We dividethis by 52 to give the weekly value.

How much can I get?

Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is made up of a personal rate for you and increases for qualified adult and any qualified children.

If you have no means you will qualify for the maximum amount of theallowance. If you have low means you may qualify for a payment to bringyour income up to the maximum appropriate rate of SupplementaryWelfare Allowance.

The rates of Supplementary Welfare Allowance are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19.

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Supplementary Welfare Allowance


You may get Supplementary Welfare Allowance by cheque, post draft or directly into your account in a financial institution.

Additional payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme

If you are getting Supplementary Welfare Allowance you may also qualify for:

• Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplements,

• Supplements for special heating or dietary needs,

• exceptional needs payments,

• Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance, and

• payments to meet urgent needs.

Extra Benefits

As well as these payments, you may get

• Fuel Allowance (see section 10 for details), and

• medical card from your regional Health Service Executive (HSE).


You should apply to the Community Welfare Officer (CWO) at your localoffice of the Health Service Executive for Supplementary WelfareAllowance as soon as the need arises. If you do not know where yourhealth centre is, or if you want to find out the CWO’s office hours,contact the head office of your regional Health Service Executive. SeeAppendix 6 for details.

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For further details see information booklet SW 54 or contact:

Supplementary Welfare Allowance SectionDepartment of Social and Family AffairsSocial Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo


11.2 Rent and Mortgage Interest Supplements

If you are having difficulty paying your rent or mortgage and you aregetting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment, you mayqualify for Rent or Mortgage Interest Supplement.

When deciding whether you qualify, the Health Service Executive mayconsider:

• whether the size of your accommodation is right for your family size,

• if you have applied for local authority housing if available,

• if you have a good reason for leaving your parents home, if relevant,

• how the cost of your accommodation compares to the cost for similar accommodation in the area,

• whether you are sharing your accommodation with others,

• whether you have made any arrangements with your lending agency toalter your mortgage payments, and

• your ability to meet repayments when you took out your mortgage.

How much can I get?

The amount of the supplement is determined by the Health ServiceExecutive. The supplement will generally make sure that your incomeafter paying your rent or mortgage interest is at least the same as theSupplementary Welfare Allowance less a minimum contribution, whicheverybody receiving the supplement must pay.

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How do I get the supplement?

You may get the supplement by a weekly or monthly cheque, postdraftor directly into your account in a financial institution.

How do I apply for the supplement?

You should apply to the Community Welfare Officer at your local office ofthe Health Service Executive.

11.3 Special needs supplements

If your income from your social welfare or Health Service Executivepayment is too low to meet certain special needs, you may get a weeklysupplement. Special needs may include:

• exceptional heating due to ill-health, and

• a special diet due to a medical condition.

In either case, you must provide medical evidence of your conditionbefore you can receive the payment. For the diet supplement, youshould give written evidence that a hospital consultant or hospitalregistrar (or doctor, if the diet is for an adult) has prescribed a special dietfor your condition.

11.4 Exceptional needs payments

If you are getting a social welfare or Health Service Executive payment,you may qualify for a once off payment to meet an exceptional need. It isup to the Health Service Executive to decide whether to make thispayment taking into account all details of your situation.

An exceptional needs payment covers essential, once-off exceptionalspending that you could not reasonably be expected to meet out of yourweekly income.

You may get this payment for:

• bedding or other essential household equipment,

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• funeral expenses, or

• other unforeseen large expenses.

These payments are made by cheque. To apply contact the CommunityWelfare Officer at your local office of the Health Service Executive.

11.5 Urgent needs payments

You may get an urgent needs payment even if you do not normallyqualify for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare AllowanceScheme. Payments are normally made to assist with immediate needssuch as food and clothing right after a fire or flood.

Depending on your situation you may have to pay back all or part ofwhat you have been paid, for example if you are working or have settledan insurance claim.

To apply for this payment contact the Community Welfare Officer at yourlocal office of the Health Service Executive.

11.6 Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

This allowance is intended to help towards the cost of children’s schooluniforms and footwear at the beginning of the school year. The scheme is run by the Health Service Executive and operates from the beginning of June to the end of September each year.

How do I qualify?

You may qualify if your household income is below a certain amount* and you are:

• getting a social welfare (including Family Income Supplement) or a Health Service Executive payment,

or

• taking part in approved employment schemes, such as Back to Work Allowance (Employees), Back to Work Enterprise Allowance, Community Employment, Revenue Job Assist, Social Economy Programme (Grant Aided Employees), Job Initiative, Workplace or Youthreach,

227


or

• taking part in an Area-Based Partnership Scheme or a FÁS, Cert or LES training scheme,

or

• taking part in a Rural Social Scheme and allowed to keep secondary benefits,

and

• getting an increase in your payment for the child (see Section 1.2 for details).

*See information booklet SW75 for details of these income limits.

How much can I get?

There are two rates of payment, one for children aged 2 to 11, the otherfor children aged 12 to 22.

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance rates are shown in the Rates of Payment booklet SW 19 and in information bookletSW75.

How do I get the allowance?

The allowance is normally paid by cheque.

How do I apply?

To apply for the allowance, contact the Community Welfare Officer(CWO) at your local health centre.

For more information, contact the CWO at your local health centre, or

Supplementary Welfare Allowance SectionDepartment of Social and Family Affairsc/o Social Welfare Services OfficeCollege RoadSligo


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229


Funding is now available for breakfast clubs, lunch

clubs or homework clubs in National and Secondary

Schools.

Priority is given to areas of disadvantage, children at

risk of leaving school early and children with special

needs.

For further details see Section 6.7

or

contact School Meals Section Phone (071) 9169800

School Meals


www.welfare.ie

This Section outlines details of:

— Family Affairs Unit

— Family Support Agency

• Family Mediation Service

• Grants for Voluntary Organisations providing Marriage, Child and Bereavement Counselling Services

• Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme

Section 12Family services


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12.1 Family Affairs Unit

The Family Affairs Unit is responsible for co-ordinating family policy. It isalso responsible for policy in relation to schemes supporting lone parentsand the Orphans Allowance Scheme.

The unit also works closely with other Government departments andagencies on a range of Government programmes supporting families andchildren.

You can get further details from:

Family Affairs UnitDepartment of Social and Family AffairsFloor 1Áras Mhic DhiarmadaStore StreetDublin 1

Telephone: (01) 704 3593 or 704 3506

12.2 Family Support Agency

The Family Support Agency was established in May 2003 and hasresponsibility for the Family and Community Services Resource Centresprogramme, the scheme of grants to voluntary and communityorganisations providing marriage, child and bereavement counsellingservices and the provision of family mediation to separating or divorcingcouples whether married or not.

The Agency has clearly defined functions which are to:

— provide a family mediation service,

— support, promote and develop the provision of marriage and relationship counselling and other family supports, and

— support, promote and develop the Family and Community Services Resource Centres programme.

The Agency is also responsible for conducting and commissioningresearch and providing information on a range of family issues. Theagency provides advice to the Minister for Social and Family Affairs onmatters relating to its functions.

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You can get further details from:

The Family Support Agency St. Stephen’s Green HouseEarlsfort TerraceDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 611 4100Website: www.fsa.ie

12.3 The Family Support Agency’s Family Mediation Service

The Family Mediation Service is a professional, confidential service thathelps couples who have decided to separate or divorce to discuss theterms of their separation agreement.

The service is free and available to married and non-married couples.

How mediation can help

The Family Mediation Service encourages the separating couple to co-operate with each other in working out mutually acceptablearrangements on all or any of the following:

• parenting the children,

• financial support,

• the family home and other property, and

• other matters, for example pensions.

How the service operates

A professionally trained Mediator helps the couple to reach their ownagreement. Both spouses or partners attend and discussions areconfidential. The Mediator is a neutral third party, so will not take sides.

To use this service, both parties must make an appointment and confirmtheir willingness to attend.

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Most mediations end with a written document that sets out all the detailsof the couple’s agreement. You can take this to a solicitor to be drawninto a Legal Deed of Separation and/or as part of an application for aDecree of Divorce.

Advantages of mediation

Each mediated agreement is unique and tailor-made to the needs of both parties.

A balanced agreement is reached, so no one need be a ‘winner’ or ‘loser’.

When both parties take decisions together they are more likely to behonoured.

Mediation promotes communication and co-operation, reducingbitterness and distress. Parents are helped to remain as partners in child-rearing by developing plans that are personal to each family. Parents are helped to manage conflict in a way that protects the best interests of the children.

Information leaflets

The following range of leaflets are available to help separating couples to consider some of the aspects of separation:

• What is the Family Mediation Service?.

• The End of Marriage – a Time for Grieving and Loss.

• How Children react to Separation and Divorce.

• We are Separating. What do we tell the Children?.

• What is a Parenting Plan?.

• Managing the Stress of Separation or Divorce.

• Managing the Financial Issues at Separation or Divorce.

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Family services

For further details, you should contact the Family Mediation Service atone of the following branches:

FULL TIME OFFICES

DUBLIN1st FloorSt. Stephen’s Green HouseEarlsfort TerraceDublin 2Telephone: (01) 634 4320Fax: (01) 662 2339

CORKHibernian House80a South MallCorkTelephone: (021) 425 2200Fax: (021) 425 1331

GALWAY1st FloorRoss HouseMerchant’s RoadGalwayTelephone: (091) 509 730Fax: (091) 567 623

LIMERICK1st FloorMill HouseHenry StreetLimerickTelephone: (061) 214 310Fax: (061) 312 225

PART TIME OFFICES

ATHLONESuite 10, 1st FloorInish Carraig Business CentreGolden IslandAthloneCo. WestmeathTelephone: (090) 642 0970 Fax: (090) 647 7011

BLANCHARDSTOWNWest End HouseWest End Business ParkSnugborough Road ExtensionBlanchardstownDublin 15Telephone: (01) 811 8650Fax: (01) 821 1877

CASTLEBARc/o Family CentreChapel StreetCastlebarCo. MayoTelephone: (094) 903 5120Fax: (094) 903 7811

MARINORelocating.Telephone: (01) 818 6050Fax: (01) 833 8679

DUNDALKMillennium CentreSt. Alphonsus RoadDundalkCo. LouthTelephone: (042) 935 9410Fax: (042) 933 8514

SLIGOAbbey StreetSligoTelephone: (071) 913 7430Fax: (071) 914 6401

TALLAGHTThe RereTallaght Social Services CentreThe SquareDublin 24Telephone: (01) 414 5180Fax: (01) 462 5956

TRALEEUnit 2, Market PlaceMaine StreetTraleeCo. KerryTelephone: (066) 718 6100Fax: (066) 712 9332

WATERFORD13b Wallace HouseMaritana GateCanada StreetWaterfordTelephone: (051) 860 460

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WEXFORD32 Key WestCustom House QuayWexfordTelephone: (053) 9163 050Fax: (053) 9123 576

PORTLAOISELevel 2 Grattan HouseGrattan Business CentrePortlaoiseCo. LaoisTelephone: (057) 869 5730Fax: (057) 869 5723

LETTERKENNY3rd FloorRiverfront HousePearse RoadLetterkennyCo. DonegalTelephone: (074) 910 2240Fax: (074) 912 5680

The Family Mediation Service is part of the Family Support Agency (seeSection 12.2 for details).

12.4 The Family Support Agency’s Scheme of Grants forVoluntary Organisations providing Marriage, Child andBereavement Counselling Services

Funding is available for marriage, child and bereavement counsellingservices by way of once-off grants.

Who can apply for these grants?

Once off grants are available to voluntary organisation that provide:

— marriage counselling services helping people to deal withdifficulties they experience in their relationships,

— marriage preparation programmes,

— counselling services to children whose lives have been affected by parental separation,

— bereavement counselling and support to families on the death of a family member.

How do organisations qualify for the funding?

An organisation will qualify if:

— it offers one or more of the services specified above,

— the service is well run, including management and back-upsupport for the service and qualifications and training ofcounsellors,

— there is a demand for the service if offers, including the number ofclients using the service in a particular area and the number ofpeople waiting for an appointment.

Grants are usually advertised in the national and local newspapers in theearly months of the year.

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For further details, contact:

The Family Support Agency Counselling Grants SectionFloor 4St. Stephen’s Green HouseEarlsfort TerraceDublin 2


12.5 The Family Support Agency’s Family and CommunityServices Resource Centre Programme

The Family and Community Services Resource Centre Programme,provides funding towards staffing and equipping of local resource centresthat organise community development activities.

Funding is given to projects that focus on involving local communities intackling the problems they face and on creating successful partnershipsbetween the voluntary and statutory agencies in the areas concerned.Family Resource Centres involve people from marginalised groups andareas of disadvantage at all levels in the projects.

Services provided by the resource centres include:

• information, advice and support to particular groups and familiesin the area,

• practical assistance to community groups such as training,information, advice and photocopying facilities,

• education courses and training opportunities,

• child-care facilities for those attending courses provided by theproject,

• after-school clubs.

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For further details, contact:

Family Support AgencyFamily Resource Centre SectionFloor 4St. Stephen’s Green HouseEarlsfort TerraceDublin 2.


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Family services

Have you considered your overall pension position on

retirement?

You should now consider your overall pensions

position on retirement. An occupational or personal

pension is a way of making regular savings for your

retirement. When you retire you use the fund you

have built up to provide a regular income for the rest

of your life. You can receive this income in addition

to your State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension

(Transition).

For more information in relation to Occupational and

Personal Pensions contact the Pensions Board,

Verscholyle House, Mount St, Dublin 2.

Telephone 01 6131900, Email [email protected].

See Section 2.10 for further details on Personal

Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs)

Occupational andPersonal Pensions


www.welfare.ie

This Section outlines details of:

— Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)

Section 13Money Advice and Budgeting Service(MABS)


241

13.1 Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS)

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is a free, confidentialand independent service for people with debt and money managementproblems. It is funded by the Department and is now available in 65centres throughout the country.

Each service is managed by a Board of Directors drawn from localvoluntary and statutory bodies such as:

— Society of St. Vincent de Paul,

— Community Welfare Service,

— Department of Social and Family Affairs,

— Credit Unions,

— Local Authorities,

— Citizens Information Centres,

— other Voluntary and Community organisations.

The key features of the service include:

• an emphasis on practical, budget based measures,• an approach that targets families identified as having problems with

debt and money-lending,• a prominent role for local statutory agencies,• the scheme includes a general money advice element for the local

community,• a co-ordinated scheme allowing for the sharing of experiences

and information to combat money-lending.

For further information contact:

Website: www.mabs.ie orSee list of MABS office phone numbers in Appendix 5.

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243

Money Advice and Budgeting Services (MABS)

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SW 4

The Section contains:

• Map of Regions Delivering Social Welfare Services

• Appendix 1: Head Offices of the Department of Social andFamily Affairs

• Appendix 2: Other Social Welfare Offices

• Appendix 3: Regional Manager’s and Regional Co-Ordinators

• Appendix 4: Area Company Managers under the Area based Scheme

• Appendix 5: MABS Offices

• Appendix 6: Offices Administering Health Services

• Appendix 7: Other Useful Addresses

• Appendix 8: lnformation Booklets

• Index

Appendices


245

Appendix 1

Head Offices of the Department of Social and Family Affairs

Áras Mhic Dhiarmada

Store StreetDublin 1

Telephone: (01) 679 7777• Illness Benefit Enquiries

Telephone: (01) 704 3000

• Press Office• EU International • Planning• Facilities Management• National Anti-Poverty Strategy• Family Affairs Unit• Personnel

Townsend Street

157-164 Townsend StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 704 3000

• Information on Jobseeker’s Allowance and Benefit• Corporate Development• Occupational Injuries Benefits• Medical Referee Section• Medical Care• HRC Section

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SW 4

Dundalk

St. Alphonsus RoadDundalkCo. Louth

Telephone: (042) 939 2600• Accounts Branch

Gandon House

Amiens StreetDublin 1

Telephone: (01) 704 3000• Central Records Section• Homemaker’s Section

Social and Family Support Services (SFSS)Department of Social and Family AffairsP.O. Box 3840Dublin 1

• Back to Work Allowance (01) 704 3165• Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme (01) 704 3867• Back to Education (01) 704 3713/ 704 3756


Oisín House

212-213 Pearse StreetDublin 2

Telephone: (01) 704 3000• EU Records• Freedom of Information• Information Services• International Operations

247

Appendices

• Staff Development Unit (SDU)• Scope Section• PRSI Refunds

Waterford

Department of Social and Family AffairsGovernment OfficesCork RoadWaterford

Telephone: Waterford (051) 356 000(01) 704 3000

• Self-Employment Section• Special Collection System for non-PAYE employees• Voluntary Contributions Section

Letterkenny

Social Welfare Services OfficeSt. Oliver Plunkett RoadLetterkennyCo. Donegal

Telephone: LoCall: 1890 400 400(01) 704 3000

• Child Benefit• Treatment Benefit Dental and Optical Benefits• Maternity Benefit• Adoptive Benefit• Health and Safety Benefit

Longford

Social Welfare Services OfficeGovernment Buildings, Ballinalee RoadLongfordTelephone: Longford (043) 45211

(01) 704 3000• Invalidity Pension• Disablement Benefit

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SW 4

• Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit • Bereavement Grant• Family Income Supplement - FIS• Rent Allowance De-Control of Rents• Disability Allowance

Sligo

Pension Services OfficeCollege Road, Sligo

Telephone LoCall: 1890 50 00 00 - from the Republic of Ireland or 00 353 71 916 9800 - from Northern Ireland or overseas

• Blind Pension• State Pension (Non-Contributory)• State Pension (Transition) and State Pension (Contributory)• Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Deserted Wife’s Allowance• Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) & Guardian’s Payment (Non-

Contributory)• Prisoner’s Wife’s Allowance• Widow’s or Widower’s Pensions• One-Parent Family Payment*• Household Benefit Package• Free Travel• Supplementary Welfare Allowance*

* OPFP or your local Social Welfare Office

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Appendices

Appendix 2

Other Social Welfare Offices

County Town Address Telephone

CARLOW

SWLO Carlow Kennedy Avenue, Carlow (059) 9170170

SWBO Muine Bheag Regent Street, Muine Bheag (059) 9722940

SWBO Tullow Abbey Street, Tullow (059) 9152500

SWI Carlow Kennedy Avenue, Carlow (059) 9170170

CAVAN

SWLO Cavan Dublin Road, Cavan (049) 4368960/61

SWBO Balileboro Barrack Street, Bailieboro (042) 969 4020

SWBO Belturbet Main Street, Belturbet (049) 9529010

SWI Bailieboro Barrack Street, Bailieboro (042) 969 4021

SWI Cavan New Court, Church Street (049) 4368980

CLARE

SWLO Ennis Kilrush Road, Ennis (065) 6867800

SWBO Ennistymon Parliament Street, (065) 7072528Ennistymon

SWBO Kilrush Vandeleur Street, Kilrush (065) 9080030

SWBO Tulla Main Street, Tulla (065) 6831908

SWI Ennis Kilrush Road, Ennis (065) 6867800

SWI Kilrush 45 Moore Street, Kilrush (065) 9080020

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SW 4


CORK

SWLO Bantry 7 Main Street, Bantry (027) 20800

SWLO Cobh Harbour Row, Cobh (021) 490 8010

SWLO Cork Hanover Street, Cork (021) 427 0055

SWLO Mallow 72 Rear Main Street, (022) 30920Mallow

SWBO Bandon 96 North Main Street, (023) 20200Bandon

SWBO Bantry Bridge Street, Bantry (027) 20820

SWBO Castletownbere Blackrock Terrace, (027) 71900Castletownbere (Wednesday)

SWBO Clonakilty 1 Astna Street, Clonakilty (023) 21210

SWBO Dunmanway Unit 3, (023) 55910Riverside Commercial Park,Park Road, Dunmanway

SWBO Fermoy O’Rahilly Row, Fermoy (025) 49010

SWBO Kinsale Market Lane, Kinsale (021) 4702910

SWBO Macroom 3 The Terrace, Masseytown,Macroom (026) 20110

SWBO Mallow 72 Rear Main Street, Mallow (022) 30934

SWBO Midleton Enterprise Park, (021) 4621200Dwyer Road, Midleton

SWBO Newmarket New Street, Newmarket (029) 22110

SWBO Passage West Strand Street, Passage West (021) 485 9110

SWBO Skibbereen Mardyke Street, Skibbereen (028) 40300

SWBO Youghal Store Street, Youghal (024) 25020

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Appendices

Key to Code: SWLO Social Welfare Local Office, SWBO Social Welfare Branch Office; SWI Social Welfare Inspector

You can contact a Facilitator at your SWLO


SWI Bandon Weir Street, Bandon (023) 20900

SWI Bantry 6 Main Street, Bantry (027) 20811

SWI Clonakilty 9 Wolfe Tone Way, Clonakility (023) 21900

SWI Cobh 8 Harbour Row, Cobh (021) 4908010

SWI Cork Hanover Street, Cork (021) 4270055

SWI Dunmanway Church Street, Dunmanway (023) 55900

SWI Fermoy Connolly Street, Fermoy (025) 49000/ 49001

SWI Macroom Bowl Road, Macroom (026) 20900

SWI Mallow 72 Rear Main Street, Mallow (022) 30920

SWI Newmarket Main Street, Newmarket (029) 22100

SWI Youghal 14a North Main St., Youghal (024) 25010

DONEGAL

SWLO Buncrana Castle Avenue, Buncrana (074) 9320070

SWLO Donegal Public Services Centre,Donegal Town (074) 9740070

SWLO Dunfanaghy Main Street, Dunfanaghy (074) 9136750

SWLO Dungloe Public Service Centre, (074) 9561031/Gweedore Road, Dungloe 9561032

SWLO Letterkenny High Road, Letterkenny (074) 9160460

SWBO Ballybofey Unit 1, Garvan Court, (074) 9130490Main Street, Ballybofey

SWBO Ballyshannon East Port, Ballyshannon (071) 9822030

SWBO Donegal Town Shopping Centre, (074) 9740050The Glebe, Donegal Town

SWBO Killybegs Bridge Street, Killybegs (074) 9741010

252

SW 4


Contact your SWLO or SWBO for Social Welfare Information


SWI Ballybofey Units 14/15, Shopping (074) 9130480Centre, Chestnut Road,Ballybofey

SWI Ballyshannon Beleek Road, Ballyshannon (071) 9822040

SWI Buncrana Park House, St Marys Road, (074) 9320211/Buncrana 9320212

SWI Donegal Public Service Centre (074) 9740070Drumlonagher, Donegal Town

SWI Dungloe Public Services Centre (074) 9561043Gweedore Road, Dungloe

SWI Falcarragh Main Street, Falcarragh (074) 9162020

SWI Killybegs Donegal Road, Killybegs (074) 9741031

SWI Letterkenny Social Welfare Services (074) 9164400Office, Oliver Plunkett Road, Letterkenny

SWI Moville Greencastle Road, Moville (074) 9385000

DUBLIN

SWLO Apollo House Tara Street, Dublin 2 (01) 6369300

SWLO Ballyfermot Rossmore Ave, (01) 6160300Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

SWLO Ballymun Ballymun Shopping Centre (01) 8427433Dublin 11

SWLO Bishop’s Square Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2 (01) 4763500

253

Appendices




SWLO Blanchardstown Westend House, (01) 8246300Snugborough Rd Extension, Dublin 15

SWLO Clondalkin 9th Lock Road, Clondalkin (01) 4030000Dublin 22

SWLO Coolock Northside Civic Centre, (01) 8661000Bunratty Road, Coolock, Dublin 17

SWLO Dun Laoghaire 18-21 Cumberland Street, (01) 2145540Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

SWLO Finglas Mellowes Road, Dublin 11 (01) 8581100

SWLO Kilbarrack Greendale Shopping Centre, (01) 8063830Greendale Road, Kilbarrack,Dublin 5

SWLO Navan Road Navan Road, Dublin 7 (01) 8823100

SWLO Nth Cumberland 23-28 Nth Cumberland (01) 8899500Street Street, Dublin 1

SWLO Nutgrove Nutgrove Shopping Centre, (01) 4069010Rathfarnham, Dublin 14

SWLO Tallaght The Square, Tallaght, (01) 4629400Dublin 24

SWLO Thomas Street 126-128 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 (01) 6369330

SWI Ballyfermot Rossmore Ave, (01) 6160300Ballyfermot, Dublin 10

SWI Bishop Square Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2 (01) 4763500

SWI Blanchardstown Westend House, (01) 8246300Snugborough Rd Extension, Dublin 15

254

SW 4




SWI Clondalkin 9th Lock Road, Clondalkin (01) 4030000Dublin 22

SWI Dun Laoghaire 18-21 Cumberland Street, (01) 2145540Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin

SWI Finglas Mellowes Road, Dublin 11 (01) 8581100

SWI Coolock Northside Civic Centre, (01) 8661000Bunratty Road, Coolock,Dublin 17

SWI Kilbarrack Greendale Shopping Centre, (01) 8063830Dublin 5

SWI Lucan Chapel Hill, Lucan, Co Dublin (01) 6010050

SWI Malahide Main Street, Malahide (01) 8061040

SWI Navan Road Navan Road, Dublin 7 (01) 8823100

SWI Nutgrove Nutgrove Shopping Centre, (01) 4069010Rathfarnham, Dublin 1

SWI Nth Cumberland 23-28 Nth Cumberland (01) 8899500Street Street, Dublin 1

SWI Tallaght The Square, Tallaght, (01) 4145210Dublin 24

SWI Thomas Street 126-128 Thomas Street, Dublin 8 (01) 6369332

GALWAY

SWLO Clifden Galway Road, Clifden, (095) 22210Co. Galway

SWLO Galway Hynes Buildings, (091) 566191St Augustine Street, Galway

255

Appendices




SWBO Ballinasloe Unit 1-2, Riverview,Main Street, Ballinasloe (090) 9631800

SWBO Gort Loughrea Road, Gort (091) 630210

SWBO Loughrea Kings Street, Loughrea (091) 870000

SWBO Tuam Church View, Tuam (093) 70940

SWI Ballinasloe The Old Bank Chambers, (090) 9631810Society Street, Ballinsalsoe

SWI Galway 8 Claddagh Quay, Galway (091) 519540

SWI Loughrea Bride Street, Loughrea (091) 870010

SWI Clifden Galway Road, Clifden (095) 21372

SWI Gort Station Road, Gort (091) 630200

SWI Portumna Castle Avenue, Portumna (0509) 9759100

SWI Tuam The Mall, Tuam (093) 70930/ 70932

KERRY

SWLO Caherciveen St. Brendan’s Terrace, (066) 9473440Caherciveen

SWLO Listowel The Square, Listowel (068) 50030

SWLO Kenmare Bridge Street, Kenmare (064) 40050

SWLO Tralee Godfrey Place, Tralee (066) 7149500

SWBO Dingle Goat Street, Dingle (066) 915 0060

SWBO Killarney St. Anthony’s Place, (064) 70980Killarney

SWBO Killorglin The Square, Killorglin (066) 979 0010

SWI Kenmare Bridge Street, Kenmare (064) 40053

SWI Killarney Beech Road, Killarney (064) 70940

256

SW 4




SWI Listowel The Square, Listowel (068) 50030

SWI Tralee Godfrey Place, Tralee (066) 7149500

KILDARE

SWLO Newbridge Eyre Street, Newbridge (045) 446 300

SWBO Athy Leinster Street, Athy (059) 8640250

SWBO Maynooth Town Centre Mall, (01) 610 6000Main Street, Maynooth

SWI Athy Hibernian House, (059) 8640260 Leinster Street, Athy

SWI Naas Unit 2, Rathasker Square, (045) 884 430Naas

SWI Newbridge Henry Street, Newbridge (045) 446 330/1

KILKENNY

SWLO Kilkenny Government Buildings, (056) 7720350Hebron Road, Kilkenny

SWBO Thomastown Lowe Street, Thomastown (056) 7754080

SWI Kilkenny Government Buildings (056) 7720350Hebron Road, Kilkenny

LAOIS

SWBO Portarlington Main Street, Portarlington (0502) 42110

SWBO Portlaoise 3 Railway Street, Portlaoise (0502) 78010

SWBO Rathdowney Main Street, Rathdowney (0505) 46920

SWI Portlaoise Government Buildings, (0502) 78020 Abbeyleix Road, Portlaoise

257

Appendices




LEITRIM

SWLO Carrick-on- Leitrim Road, (071) 9650070/Shannon Carrick-on-Shannon 9650071

SWLO Manorhamilton Sligo Road, Manorhamilton (071) 9820030

SWI Ballinamore High Street, Ballinamore (071) 9645250

SWI Carrick-on- Leitrim Road, (071) 9650091Shannon Carrick-on-Shannon

SWI Manorhamilton Sligo Road, Manorhamilton (071) 9820035

LIMERICK

SWLO Limerick Dominic Street, Limerick (061) 212 200

SWLO Newcastlewest Gortboy, Newcastlewest (069) 20100

SWBO Kilmallock Charleville Road, Kilmallock (063) 20900

SWI Kilmallock Charleville Road, Kilmallock (063) 20905

SWI Limerick Dominic Street, Limerick (061) 212 200

SWI Newcastlewest Gortboy, Newcastlewest (069) 20100

LONGFORD

SWLO Longford Government Buildings, (043) 45211Ballinalee Road, Longford

SWI Granard 1 Moxham Street, Granard (043) 87560/ 87561

SWI Longford Government Buildings, (043) 45211Ballinalee Road, Longford

LOUTH

SWLO Drogheda Custom House Quay, (041) 987 1130Drogheda

258

SW 4




SWLO Dundalk Government Buildings, (042) 939 2600St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk

SWBO Ardee Moore Hall, Ardee (041) 685 0950

SWI Ardee 1A William Street, Ardee (041) 685 0940

SWI Dundalk Government Buildings, (042) 939 2600St. Alphonsus Road, Dundalk

SWI Drogheda Fitzwilliam Business Centre, (041) 9871180Singleton House,St. Lawrence’s St., Drogheda

MAYO

SWLO Achill Achill Sound, Achill (098) 45050

SWLO Ballina Bohernasup, Ballina (096) 60833

SWLO Belmullet American Street, Belmullet (097) 81029

SWLO Castlebar Michael Davitt House,Castlebar (094) 9034280

SWLO Westport Prospect Avenue,Westport (098) 50930

SWBO Ballinrobe Main St., Ballinrobe (094) 9520070

SWBO Claremorris Ballyhaunis Road, (094) 9372500Claremorris

SWBO Swinford Dublin Road, Swinford (094) 9252880

SWI Ballina Government Buildings, (096) 60360Ballina

SWI Ballyhaunis Upper Main Street, (094) 9632050Ballyhaunis

SWI Belmullet American Street, Belmullet (097) 20060

SWI Castlebar Humbert Mall, Castlebar (094) 9034330

259

Appendices




SWI Claremorris James Street, Claremorris (094) 9372510

SWI Swinford Main Street, Swinford (094) 9252890

SWI Westport Prospect Avenue, Westport (098) 50939

MEATH

SWLO Navan Kennedy House, Kennedy Road, Navan (046) 9077010

SWBO Kells Bective Square, Kells (046) 9280490

SWBO Trim Haggard Street, Trim (046) 9481040

SWI Kells Headford Place, Kells (046) 9280040

SWI Navan Kennedy House, (046) 9077020/1Kennedy Road, Navan

SWI Trim Town Hall, Trim (046) 9481060

MONAGHAN

SWBO Carrickmacross Ardee Road, (042) 969 0080Carrickmacross

SWBO Castleblaney Monaghan Road, (042) 9795050Castleblaney

SWBO Clones 2 McCurtain Street, Clones (047) 20030

SWBO Monaghan Rooskey, Monaghan Town (047) 30170

SWI Carrickmacross Ardee Road, (042) 969 0085Carrickmacross

SWI Castleblaney Monaghan Road, (042) 9795050Castleblaney

SWI Clones Fitzpatrick Square, Clones (047) 20020

SWI Monaghan The Plantation (047) 31062

260

SW 4




OFFALY

SWBO Birr Castle Street, Birr (0509) 69040

SWBO Edenderry Unit 1, St. Francis Street,Edenderry (046) 9733580

SWLO Tullamore Government Buildings, Clonminch Road, Tullamore (057) 9325140

SWI Edenderry St. Mary’s Road, Edenderry (046) 9733570

SWI Birr Emmet Street, Birr (0509) 69050

SWI Tullamore Government Buildings, (057) 9325510Clonminch Road, Tullamore

ROSCOMMON

SWBO Boyle Elphin Street, Boyle (071) 9664033

SWBO Castlerea St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea (094) 9625070

SWBO Roscommon Abbey Street, Roscommon (090) 6630930

SWI Castlerea St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea (094) 9625075

SWI Roscommon Government Offices, (090) 6630920Convent Road, Roscommon

SLIGO

SWLO Sligo Government Offices, (071) 9169966/ Cranmore Road, Sligo 9169967

SWBO Tubbercurry Teeling St., Tubbercurry (071) 9120040

SWI Tubbercurry Teach Haighne, Humbert St (071) 9120172SWI Sligo Government Offices, (071) 9148213/

Cranmore Road, Sligo 9140531

TIPPERARY

SWLO Clonmel Harbour House, New Quay, (052) 25277Clonmel

261

Appendices




SWLO Thurles Stradavoher, Thurles (0504) 20210

SWBO Cahir Market Yard, The Square, (052) 45200Cahir

SWBO Cashel Bohermore, Cashel (062) 64220

SWBO Nenagh Church View, Nenagh (067) 50902

SWBO Roscrea Lwr. Limerick Street, Roscrea (0505) 22840

SWBO Tipperary 8 Church Street, Tipperary (062) 80230

SWBO Carrick-on-Suir 55 New Street, (051) 601 190Carrick-on-Suir

SWI Carrick-on-Suir 55 New Street, (051) 601 195Carrick-on-Suir

SWI Clonmel Harbour House, New Quay, (052) 70225Clonmel

SWI Templemore Mary Street, Templemore (0504) 32590

SWI Nenagh Government BuildingsSt. Conlan’s Road, Nenagh (067) 50916

SWI Tipperary Government Buildings, (062) 80240Davis Street, Tipperary

SWI Thurles Stradavoher, Thurles (0504) 20210

WATERFORD

SWLO Waterford Cork Road, Waterford (051) 356 000

SWBO Dungarvan 3 Friary Street, Dungarvan (058) 20540

SWI Dungarvan Civic Offices, Davitt’s Quay, (058) 20700Dungarvan

SWI Waterford Cork Road, Waterford (051) 356000

262

SW 4




WESTMEATH

SWLO Athlone Barrack Street, Athlone (090) 6421610

SWLO Mullingar Blackhall Street, Mullingar (044) 34220

SWBO Castlepollard The Square, Castlepollard (044) 62230

SWI Athlone Government Buildings, (090) 6421640Pearse Street, Athlone

SWI Mullingar Blackhall Street, Mullingar (044) 34220

WEXFORD

SWLO Wexford Anne Street, Wexford (053) 9165400

SWBO Enniscorthy Mernagh Street, (053) 9242900Enniscorthy

SWBO Gorey Thomas Street, Gorey (053) 9421188

SWBO New Ross Cross Street, New Ross (051) 421693

SWI Gorey Thomas Street, Gorey (053) 9430044

SWI Enniscorthy Slaney Place, Enniscorthy (053) 9242670

SWI Wexford Anne Street, Wexford (053) 9165400

263

Appendices




WICKLOW

SWLO Arklow Arklow, Castle Park, Arklow (0402) 20420

SWLO Bray Bray, The Esplanade, Bray (01) 276 8960

SWBO Baltinglass Lathaleere, Baltinglass (059) 6482240

SWBO Wicklow Unit E6, The Enterprise (0404) 20440Centre, The Murrough,Wicklow

SWI Arklow Castle Park, Arklow (0402) 20422

SWI Bray 25-27 Main Street, Bray (01) 276 8900

SWI Wicklow Government Buildings, The Murragh, Wicklow (0404) 20400

264

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Key to Code: SWLO Social Welfare Local Office; SWBO Social Welfare Branch Office; SWI Social Welfare Inspector

*Signing and Information CentreContact your SWLO or SWBO for Social Welfare Information

Appendix 3Regional Manager’s and Regional Co-Ordinators

Region Address Telephone

EASTERN REGION

Dublin South(also covering Wicklow East)

Co-Ordinator Bishop’s Square, (01) 476 3500Redmond’s Hill, Dublin 2

Regional Manger’s Office Social Welfare Regional Office, Bishop’s Square, Redmond’s HillDublin2 (01) 476 3500

Dublin North

Co-Ordinator Social Welfare Services Office,Mellowes Road, Finglas,Dublin 11 (01) 858 1100

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional Office,Mellowes Road, Finglas,Dublin 11 (01) 858 1100

Dublin West(also covering Kildare, Wicklow West)

Co-Ordinator Social Services Centre, The Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01) 462 4308

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional Office,Social Services Centre, The Square, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01) 462 4308

265

Appendices




NORTH EASTERN REGION

Louth/Cavan/Monaghan/Meath/Longford/Mullingar

Co-Ordinator Government BuildingsSt Alphonsus Road,Dundalk, Co. Louth (042) 939 2600

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional OfficeGovernment Buildings, St Alphonsus Road,Dundalk, Co. Louth (042) 939 2600

SOUTHERN REGION

Cork/Kerry

Co-Ordinator Centre Park Road,The Marina, Cork (021) 491 7420

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional OfficeCentre Park Road, The Marina,Cork (021) 491 7420

266

SW 4



MID-WESTERN REGION

Limerick/Clare/Tipperary North/Tullamore

Co-Ordinator Block 2, International BusinessCentre, National TechnologicalPark, Plassey, Limerick (061) 213 200

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional OfficeBlock 2, International Business CentreNational Technological Park, Plassey, Limerick (061) 213 200

SOUTH EASTERN REGION

Waterford/Wexford/Carlow/Kilkenny/Tipperary South

Co-Ordinator Cork Road, Waterford (051) 356 000

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional OfficeCork Road, Waterford (051) 356 000

NORTH WESTERN REGION

Sligo/Donegal/Leitrim

Co-Ordinator Leitrim Road,Carrick-on-Shannon, (071) 9650090/ Co. Leitrim 9650091

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional OfficeGovernment BuildingsCranmore Road, Sligo (071) 914 8213

267

Appendices



WESTERN REGION

Galway/Mayo/AthloneCo-Ordinator St. Augustine House

Merchants Road, Galway (091) 566 191

Regional Manager’s Office Social Welfare Regional OfficeSt. Augustine House,Merchants Road, Galway (091) 566 191

Please note that the regional structure as outlined above will be subject tochange throughout 2007.

268

SW 4


Appendix 4

Area Company Managers under the Area-Based Schemes

Partnership Telephone

EASTERN REGION

Ballyfermot Partnership,Ballyfermot Community, Civic Centre, Ballyfermot Road, Dublin 10 (01) 620 7165

Ballymun Partnership Ltd.North Mall, Ballymun Town Centre, Dublin 11 (01) 842 3612

Blanchardstown Area PartnershipDillon House, Unit 106, Coolmine Industrial Estate, Dublin 15 (01) 820 9550

Canal Communities Partnership197 Tyrconnell Rd, Inchicore, Dublin 8 (01) 473 2196

Bray Partnership4 Prince of Wales Terrace, Quinsboro Road, Bray, Co. Wicklow (01) 286 8266

Clondalkin PartnershipCamac House, Oakfield Industrial Estate, Clondalkin, Dublin 22 (01) 457 6433

Dublin Inner City PartnershipEquity House, 16/17 Upper Ormond Quay, Dublin 7 (01) 872 1321

Finglas/Cabra PartnershipRosehill House, Finglas Road, Dublin 11 (01) 836 1666

Kimmage/Walkinstown/Crumlin/Drimnagh PartnershipUnit 9, The Ashleaf Centre, Crumlin Cross, Crumlin, Dublin 12 (01) 405 9300

Northside PartnershipCoolock Development Centre, Bunratty Drive, Coolock, Dublin 17 (01) 848 5630

269

Appendices



North West Kildare/North Offaly Partnership (OAK)Edenderry Business Park, Edenderry, Co Offaly (0405) 32688

Southside Partnership24 Adelaide Street, Dun Laoghaire, Co Dublin (01) 230 1011

Tallaght PartnershipKillinarden Enterprise Park, Tallaght, Dublin 24 (01) 466 4280

NORTH EASTERN REGION

Cavan Partnership Co. Ltd.28a Bridge Street, Cavan (049) 433 1029

Drogheda Partnership Co.Work Space, Mayorality Street, Drogheda, Co. Louth (041) 984 2088

Dundalk Employment Partnership Ltd.Partnership Court, Park Street, Dundalk, Co. Louth (042) 933 0288

Co. Monaghan PartnershipMonaghan Road, Castleblayney, Co. Monaghan (042) 974 9500

SOUTHERN REGION

Cork City – Comhar Chathair Chorcaí Teo.Sunbeam Industrial Park, Millfield, Mallow Road, Cork (021) 430 2310

Partnership Tra Lí7 Ashe Street, Tralee, Co Kerry (066) 718 0190

South Kerry Development PartnershipOld Barracks, Bridge Street, Caherciveen, Co. Kerry (066) 947 2724

MID-WESTERN REGION

PAUL – LimerickUnit 25, The Tait Centre, Dominick Street, Limerick (061) 419 388

West Limerick Resources Ltd.St. Mary’s Road, Newcastlewest, Co Limerick (069) 62222

270

SW 4


SOUTH EASTERN REGION

County Wexford Partnership Ltd.Mill Park Road, Enniscorthy, Co. Wexford (053) 9237033

Waterford Area Partnership Ltd.Westgate Business Centre, Tramore Road, Waterford (051) 841 740

Waterford Leader Partnership Ltd.Lismore Business Park, Mayfield, Lismore, Co. Waterford (058) 54646

Wexford Area PartnershipCornmarket, Mallin Street, Wexford (053) 9123994

NORTH WESTERN REGION

County Leitrim Partnership BoardChurch Street, Drumshanbo, Co. Leitrim (071) 9641740

County Sligo Leader Partnership Co. Ltd.Sligo Development Centre, Cleveragh Road, Sligo (071) 9141138

Donegal Local Development Company1 Millenium Court, Pearse Road, Letterkenny, Co. Donegal (074) 9127056

Inishowen Partnership Co.2 Victoria Villas, St. Mary Road, Buncrana, Co. Donegal (074) 9362218/

9363408

Pairtíocht Gaeltacht Thir ChonaillMeitheal Forbartha na Gaeltachta, An t-Eastát Tionsclaíoch,Na Doirí Beaga, Co. Dún na nGáll (074) 9532017

271

Appendices


WESTERN REGION

Galway City Partnership3 The Plaza, Headford Road, Galway (091) 773 466

Galway Rural Development CompanyOld Church Street, Athenry, Co. Galway (091) 844 335

Cumas Teo Pairtíocht Chonamara agus ÁrannIonad Fiontair Rosmuc, Co. na Gaillimhe (091) 574 353/

574 038

Meitheal MhaigheoLower Main Street, Foxford, Co. Mayo (094) 9256745

MIDLAND REGION

Longford Community Resources Ltd.Longford Community Enterprise Centre, Templemichael,Ballinalee Road, Longford (043) 45555

North West Kildare/North Offaly Partnership (OAK)Edenderry Business Park, Edenderry, Co. Offaly (046) 9732688

Roscommon Partnership Co.The Square, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon (094) 9621337

Westmeath Community Development Ltd.Presentation House, Harbour Street, Mullingar, Co. Westmeath (044) 9348571

272

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Appendix 5 - List of MABS Offices

Carlow Carlow (059) 9140977

Cavan Cavan (049) 4362900

Clare Ennis (065) 6841991Shannon (061) 360422

Cork Charleville (063) 81603Cork City (021) 4552080Dunmanway (023) 55155Mallow (022) 43879

Donegal Derrybeg (074) 9560747Donegal (074) 9724462Letterkenny (074) 9129909

Dublin Ballyfermot (01) 6235443Ballymun (01) 8620059Blanchardstown (01) 8206324Cherry Orchard (01) 6233900Clondalkin (01) 4575782Coolock (01) 8674892Crumlin (01) 4560731Dundrum/Rathfarnham (01) 2951104Dun Laoghaire (01) 2302002Finglas/Cabra (01) 8642148Francis Street (01) 4731878Lomard Street (01) 670 6555National Travellers’ MABS (01) 8648510North Strand (01) 8366925Swords (01) 8901102Tallaght (01) 4519630

Galway Galway City (091) 569349Tuam (093) 24421

Kerry Tralee (066) 7129750

273

Appendices

Kildare Kilcock (01) 6284466Newbridge (045) 435558

Kilkenny Kilkenny City (056) 7761777

Laois Portlaoise (0502) 61727

Leitrim Ballinamore (071) 9644944

Limerick Limerick (061) 310620

Longford Longford Town (043) 47705

Louth Drogheda (041) 9842810Dundalk (042) 9327823

Meath Navan (046) 9072836

Mayo Ballina (096) 72902Castlebar (094) 9028888

Monaghan Castleblayney (042) 9749189

Offaly Tullamore (0506) 23211

Roscommon Roscommon (090) 6627811

Sligo Sligo (071) 9141022

Tipperary Carrick on Suir (051) 645077Clonmel (052) 29313Nenagh (067) 41033Thurles (0504) 23510Tipperary (062) 33410

Waterford Dungarvan (058) 44922Waterford City (051) 857929

Westmeath Athlone (0902) 76616Mullingar (044) 40871

Wexford Wexford (053) 9121504

Wicklow Arklow (0402) 91200Bray (01) 2760411

Note: Website: www.mabs.ie

274

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Appendix 6Offices Administering Health Services

Enquiries regarding health services should be made to the Chief ExecutiveOfficer of the relevant office of the Health Service Executive.

People Living in: Should Contact the Chief Executive Officer:

Dublin City or the counties of Health Service Executive, Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow. Eastern Region

Dr. Steeven’s Hospital, Steeven’s Lane, Dublin 8.Telephone: (01) 635 2000 orFreefone: 1800 520 520

The counties of Louth, Meath, Health Service Executive,Cavan, Monaghan and North North Eastern AreaDublin. Kells, Co. Meath.

Telephone: (046) 9280500

Cork City or the counties of Health Service Executive,Cork and Kerry. Southern Area

Cork Farm Centre, Dennehy’s Cross,Wilton, Cork.Telephone: (021) 454 5011

Limerick City or the counties of Health Service Executive,Limerick, Clare and Tipperary (NR). Mid-Western Area

31-33 Catherine Street, Limerick.Telephone: (061) 316 655

Waterford City or the counties of Health Service Executive,Waterford, Wexford, Carlow, South-Eastern AreaTipperary (SR) and Kilkenny. Lacken, Dublin Road, Kilkenny.

Telephone: (056) 7784100

The counties of Donegal, Sligo Health Service Executive,and Leitrim. North-Western Area

Manorhamilton, Co. Leitrim.Telephone: (071) 9820400

275

Appendices

People Living in: Should Contact the Chief Executive Officer:

Galway City or the counties of Health Service Executive, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon. Western Area

Merlin Park Regional HospitalDublin Road, Galway.Telephone: (091) 751 131

276

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Appendix 7Other Useful AddressesAppeals OfficeD’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2.Telephone: (01) 673 2800

The Pensions BoardVerschoyle House, 28-30 Lower Mount Street, Dublin 2. Telephone: (01) 613 1900

Ombudsman’s Office18 Lr. Leeson Street, Dublin 2.Telephone: (01) 639 5600/LoCall 1890 22 30 30

The Pensions Ombudsman36 Upr Mount Street, Dublin 2.Telephone: (01) 647 1650

Combat Poverty AgencyBridgewater Centre, Conyngham Road, Islandbridge, Dublin 8.Telephone: (01) 670 6746

ComhairleFloor 7, Hume House, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4Telephone: (01) 605 9000

FÁS Head OfficeFÁS, 27-33 Upper Baggot Street, Dublin 4.Telephone: (01) 607 0500

The General Register OfficeBirths, Deaths and Marriages, Government Offices, Convent Road, RoscommonTelephone: 1890 252 076 or (090) 663 2900

Emigrant Advice1a Cathedral Street, Dublin 1Telephone: (01) 873 2844

Citizens Information Centres(see the Golden Pages)

Office of the Minister for ChildrenChild Care Directorate, Old Faculty Building, Shelbourne Road, Dublin 4

Telephone: 1890 20 90 30

277

Appendices

Appendix 8

Information Booklets

The services dealt with in this Guide are covered in greater detail in ourcomprehensive range of leaflets/booklets. These are available free of chargefrom your local Social Welfare Office or from the Department’s InformationService. Telephone: LoCall Leaflet Line 1890 20 23 25

Subject Ref. Number

A Guide to Social Welfare Services ........................................................ SW 4A Guide to Appeals Hearings .................................................................. SW 53Adoptive Benefit ........................................................................................ SW 37Appeals Office, An Introductory Guide .................................................. SW 56

Back to Education Programme ................................................................ SW 70Back to Work Allowance (Employees) .................................................... SW 93Back to Work Enterprise Allowance ...................................................... SW 92Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance .............................. SW 75Bereavement Grant .................................................................................... SW 47Bilateral Social Security Agreements:

Irish/Australian Social Security Agreement .................................... SW 87Irish/Canadian Social Security Agreement ...................................... SW 84Irish/New Zealand Social Security Agreement .............................. SW 95Irish/Québec Social Security Agreement ........................................ SW 96Irish/Swiss Social Security Agreement .............................................. SW 97Irish/United States Social Security Agreement .............................. SW 91

Blind Pension .............................................................................................. SW 76

Carer’s Allowance ...................................................................................... SW 41Carer’s Benefit ............................................................................................ SW 49Child Benefit ................................................................................................ SW 42Comments? Complaints?............................................................................ SW 104Credited Contributions (PRSI Credits) .................................................... SW 12

Death Benefit (Under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme) SW 32Directory of Services for the Ill and incapacitated .......................... SW 110

278

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Subject ....................................................................................Ref. Number

Disability Allowance .................................................................................. SW 29Disability/Occupational Injury Benefit Late Claims ............................ SW 101Disablement Benefit .................................................................................. SW 31

Employees’ Guide to PRSI ........................................................................ SW 23Employers’ Guide to PRSI ........................................................................ SW 3Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme ...................................................... SW 73Employers – PRSI is your responsibility .................................................. SW 88Equal Treatment Arrears ............................................................................ SW 77

Families First ................................................................................................ SW 68Family Employment and PRSI .................................................................. SW 102Family Income Supplement ...................................................................... SW 22Farm Assist .................................................................................................. SW 27Free Travel .................................................................................................... SW 40Fuel – National Fuel Scheme .................................................................... SW 17Fuel – Smokeless Fuel Allowance ............................................................ SW 17a

Giving up work because of ill-health ...................................................... SW 20Guide to PRSI for the Self-Employed ...................................................... SW 74

Habitual Residence Condition .................................................................. SW 108Health and Safety Benefit ........................................................................ SW 21Homemakers Scheme ................................................................................ SW 1Household Benefits Package – Electricity/Gas,Telephone Allowance & Free TV Licence .............................................. SW 107

Illness Benefit .............................................................................................. SW 119Injury Benefit (under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme) .. SW 30Invalidity Pension ........................................................................................ SW 44

Living Alone Increase ................................................................................ SW 36

Maternity Benefit ........................................................................................ SW 11Medical Care (under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme) .. SW 34

Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) .............................................. SW 48

279

Appendices

Subject ....................................................................................Ref. Number

Part-time Job Incentive Scheme .............................................................. SW 69Pensioners and Savings .............................................................................. SW 60Pensioners, Checklist for .......................................................................... SW 10Personal Public Service Number - PPS No. .......................................... SW 100Prescribed Occupational Diseases .......................................................... SW 33Pre-Retirement Allowance ........................................................................ SW 80PRSI and non-PAYE Employees ................................................................ SW 63

Rates of Payment Booklet ........................................................................ SW 19Rates of PRSI Contributions ...................................................................... SW 14Recovery of Social Welfare Overpayments ............................................ SW 2Rent Allowance - De-control of Rents .................................................... SW 58Rent Allowance Formula .......................................................................... SW 58aRespite Care Grant ...................................................................................... SW 113

One-Parent Family Payment .................................................................... SW 82

State Pension (Contributory) .................................................................. SW 118State Pension (Contributory), A guide to working it out .................... SW 112State Pension (Non-Contributory) .......................................................... SW 116State Pension (Transition) ........................................................................ SW 118State Pension (Transition), A guide to working it out .......................... SW 111Supplementary Welfare Allowance ........................................................ SW 54Supplementary Welfare Allowance – Code of Practice ........................................................................................ SW 94

Treatment Benefit ...................................................................................... SW 24

Unemployed People, Guide for .............................................................. SW 65

Voluntary Contributions ............................................................................ SW 8Volunteer Development Workers Scheme ............................................ SW 15

Widow Parent Grant.................................................................................... SW 114Widow’s/Widower’s Contributory Pension ............................................ SW 25Widow’s/Widower’s Non-Contributory Pension .................................. SW 26Worksharing ................................................................................................ SW 105

Your Right to Access your Social Welfare Records .............................. SW 89

280

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IndexAdoptive Benefit 103Allowance:— Back to Education 184— Back to School Clothing

and Footwear 227— Back to Work 176— Bottled Gas Refill 210— Carer’s 143— Disability 129— Fuel 201— Electricity 210— Living Alone Increase 214— Natural Gas Allowance 210— Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) 112— Pre-Retirement 60— Smokeless Fuel 204— Supplementary

Welfare 222— Telephone 210Appeals Office 15

Back to Education Programme: 184— Back to Education

Allowance 184— Education, Training and

Development Courses 187Back to School Clothing

and Footwear Allowance 227Back to Work Allowance

Employees 177Back to Work Enterprise Allowance 179

281

Appendices

282

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Benefit:— Adoptive 103— Carer’s Benefit 138— Child 94— Dental 190— Illness 120— Disablement 154— Health and Safety 107— Injury 150— Optical 190— Maternity 98— Treatment 190— Jobseeker’s 164Benefits Abroad 37Bereavement Grant 196Blind Pension 133Bilateral Social Security Agreements 43

Carer’s Allowance 143Child Benefit 94

Companion Free Travel Pass 206Contact Lenses 190Continued Payment after a

Death in the Family:Credits 31

Death Benefit: 158— Widow’s or Widower’s

Pension 158— Orphan’s Pension 159— Dependent Parents

Pension 159— Funeral Grant 159Dental Benefit 190Disablement Benefit 154

Disability Allowance 129Illness Benefit 120Early Childcare Supplement 98

EC Regulations 38Educational Options 187 Employers’ PRSI Exemption Scheme 183Employment Supports 171Exceptional Needs Payments 226Extra Benefits 189

Family Income Supplement - FIS 172Family Mediation Service 233

Guardian’s Payment (Contributory) 112Guardian’s Payment (Non-Contributory) 114

Health and Safety Benefit 107Hearing Aids 191Homemakers 63Household Benefits Package 210

Ill or Incapacitated 119Injury Benefit 150Invalidity Pension 126

Liability to Maintain your Family 88

Maternity Benefit 98Means Test 11Medical Care 157Money Advice and Budgeting Service 242Mortgage Interest Supplement 225

283

Appendices

National Fuel Scheme 201

Occupational Injuries Benefits 150One-Parent Family Payment 82Optical Benefit 190Overpayments 14

Payment After Death 199Part-time Job Incentive Scheme 182Payments Explained 2Personal Public Service Number 18Pre-Entry Credits 31Pre-Retirement Allowance 60PRSA’s 35

PRSI:— Credits 31— Employers’

Exemption Scheme 183

Qualified Adult 3

Recovery of Overpayments 14Rent Allowance De-control of Rents 216Rent Supplement 225Retired or Older 45

School Meals 117Smokeless Fuel Scheme 204Social Assistance Payments 11Social Welfare Appeals Office 15State Pension (Contributory) 51State Pension (Non-Contributory) 55State Pension (Transition) 46

Supplementary Welfare Allowance 221

Supplements SWA:— Basic Supplementary

Welfare 222Exceptional NeedsPayments 226

— Rent and Mortgage Interest 225

— Urgent Needs Payments 227

Treatment Benefit 190

Unemployment supports 164Jobseeker’s:— Allowance 164— Benefit 164

Urgent Needs Payments 227

Voluntary PRSI Contributions 30

Widow’s or Widower’sContributory Pension 70

Widow’s or Widower’sNon-ContributoryPension 76

284

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Guide to Social Welfare Services - Homepage

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