Information
Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and are covered by social insurance (PRSI). At 66, you transfer to State Pension (Contributory).
Invalidity Pension is taxable. You are entitled to a Free Travel Pass. You may also get extra social welfare benefits, for example, the Household Benefits Package.
Budget 2014
The higher Invalidity Pension rate of €230.30 per week that used to be paid when claimants reach age 65 was discontinued in 2014. The new rate payable to people aged 65 (and under) is €193.50 per week. This applies to people claiming Invalidity Pension who reach their 65th birthday from 2 January 2014. Existing 65 year olds are unaffected. This measure is being undertaken in line with the abolition of the State Pension (Transition) from 2 January 2014.
People who are getting Invalidity Pension (existing and new recipients) will continue to be automatically transferred to State Pension (Contributory) at age 66 and they will receive a weekly rate of €230.30.
The weekly rate payable to all qualified adults of people claiming Invalidity Pension was standardised at €138.10 per week. This measure will apply to spouses and partners aged 66 or over who reach their 66th birthday from 2 January 2014. Existing spouses and partners aged 66 and over are unaffected.
Rules
Social insurance contributions
To get Invalidity Pension you must have at least:
- 260 (5 years) paid PRSI contributions since entering social insurance
- 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete tax year before the date of your claim
Note that only PRSI paid in classes A, E and H count. The last complete tax year is the year before your claim. For example, if you claim Invalidity Pension in 2014, the last complete tax year is 2013.
Medical criteria
Invalidity Pension is a payment for insured people who are permanently incapable of work because of an illness or incapacity. A doctor employed by the Department of Social Protection decides whether you are medically unfit for work and qualify on medical grounds for Invalidity Pension.
To qualify 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 (you will probably have been getting Illness Benefit or Disability Allowance during that time)
Or
- Be permanently incapable of work (in certain cases of very serious illness or disability, you can transfer directly from another social welfare payment or from your job to Invalidity Pension).
Invalidity Pension and work
From 13 February 2012, Partial Capacity Benefit replaces the previous exemption arrangements where people on Invalidity Pension could get permission to work part-time (known as an exemption) for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes and keep their full social welfare payment. There is no requirement that the work a person does while on Partial Capacity Benefit has to be for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes.
Training and employment schemes
If you are on Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and want to do a training course, you do not go onto Partial Capacity Benefit. You apply to the Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension section, as appropriate. New entrants to SOLAS (formerly FÁS) training courses from 1 January 2014 will no longer get a training allowance but can continue to receive Invalidity Pension.
If you want to do a Community Employment scheme you apply in the normal way.
Rates
Rate of Invalidity Pension in 2014
| Invalidity Pension |
Weekly rate, € |
| Aged under 66 |
193.50 |
| Qualified adults* |
138.10 |
| Qualified child |
29.80 (full-rate)
14.90 (half-rate) |
*Qualified adults who were over 66 before 2 January 2014 can continue to get a higher rate.
You may get an increase in your payment for an adult dependant and any child dependants you may have. From 5 July 2012, you can no longer claim an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) with your Invalidity Pension if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has an income of over €400 a week. You get a half-rate IQC if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant earns between €310 and €400 a week. This only applies to new claims after 5 July 2012.
Tax implications
Invalidity Pension is a taxable source of income and should be reported to your tax office as soon as your payment starts. You can contact the Revenue Commissioners for more information.
If you think you have been wrongly refused Invalidity Pension or you are unhappy about a decision of a Social Welfare Deciding Officer about your entitlements, you can appeal this decision.
Where to apply
Invalidity Pension Section
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road
Longford
Ireland
Tel:(043) 334 0000
Locall:1890 92 77 70