Introduction
People living on islands can face extra expenses travelling to the mainland
to avail of services. If you are getting one of the social welfare payments
listed below and living on certain islands off the coast of Ireland you can get
an increase in your social welfare payment (sometimes referred to as an Island
Allowance). The purpose of the increase is to compensate for the additional
costs of living on an island off the coast of Ireland.
Since March 2005, people getting certain pensions from another EU state are
entitled to an increase for living on a specified island.
Rules
To qualify for an increase in the rate of your social welfare payment you
must ordinarily live on a specified
island off the coast of Ireland, be 66 years of age or over and getting one
of the following payments:
If you are 66 years of age or over and getting a comparable pension to those
listed above from another EU State, you are also entitled to the increase.
If you live on a specified island and are under 66 years of age
you will qualify for an increase in your social welfare payment if you are
getting one of the following social welfare payments:
If you are under 66 years of age and getting a comparable pension to those
listed above from another EU State, you are also entitled to the increase.
Rates
The Increase for Living on a Specified Island is €12.70.
Where to apply
There is no application form to get an increase in the rate of your social
welfare payment for living on a specifed island. You are assessed for an
increase at the time of your application for a social welfare payment. If you
are on a qualifying payment you automatically get the increase when you reach
66 years of age.
If you have any questions about the increase in the rate of your social welfare
payment for living on a specifed island or whether you are entitled to it, you
should contact the section in the
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection which pays your social welfare payment. A
lo-call number may be provided.