Occupational Injuries The Occupational Injuries Scheme provides benefits for people injured or incapacitated by an accident at work or while travelling directly to or from work. The scheme also covers people who have contracted a disease as a result of the type of work they do. There are a number of benefits available and there are different conditions attached to each benefit. The benefits are: […]
Qualifying Adult Many Social Welfare Payments carry an addition/ increase in respect of a qualified adult (IQA). The adult addition applies with respect to most social welfare benefits. There are differences with respect to non-contributory old-age pension. This addition is not payable with all Social Welfare Payments, including particular widowers’ and loan parents’ payments. A qualified adult is generally a spouse (or a civil partner […]
Domiciliary Care Allowance A Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to assist with the cost of a severely disabled child who requires full-time care and attention. The requirements must be such as are substantially beyond the requirements of a non-disabled child of the same age. The benefit is at €309.50 per month. The allowance is paid to a qualified person. It is paid in […]
Disability Allowance Disability allowance is the means tested equivalent of disability benefit. Disability allowance is payable to persons who are restricted from employment due to long term sickness and disability. In order to qualify, a person must be of normal working age (16 to 66 years ) He must by reason of a specified disability be substantially restricted in undertaking employment of a kind which […]
Qualification for Carer’s Allowance A carer’s allowance is payable to a person giving full-time care and attention to certain persons who require it. Secondary benefits are payable. The person must reside with and provide full-time care and attention to the other person. Under some circumstances, the requirement to live together may not apply. The carer must not be engaged in employment outside the home or […]
Invalidity Pension An invalidity pension is paid to a person who is incapable of work due to a long-term illness or disability. In order to qualify, a person must be permanently incapable of work and satisfy the contribution conditions. The definition of incapable of work is similar to that for illness benefit. The contribution conditions for an invalidity pension are: at least 260 contributions since […]
Illness Benefit The payments formerly known as disability and sickness benefit are now known as illness benefit. Illness benefit is payable to a person under 66 for days missed from employment, due to incapacity. Certain conditions apply. A day of incapacity is a day in which the person is incapable of work. The benefit is not payable for the first three days. Neither Sundays nor […]
Overview A person may qualify for carer’s benefit, if he is a carer, over 16 and resides with and provides full-time care and attention to a relevant person as defined. The definition is the same as that in respect of Carer’s Allowance. The Carer’s Leave Act entitlements are not dependent on qualification for financial carer’s leave. That Act gives an entitlement to time off work. The […]
Tests There are a number of means tests applicable to social welfare benefits. Similar principles underlie the various tests. There are different tests between shorter-term and longer-term payments and supplementary welfare allowance. Each of the means tests is based on an assessment of income and assets. Generally, assets owned by the person and his spouse are considered. Income which the person might reasonably be expected […]