Social Insurance

This is a long term means tested payment made to people with a disability where the disability is anticipated to last at least a year.

Who qualifies

You must be

• Aged between 16 and 66
• Satisfy both a means and habitual residency test
• Have a specified disability which results in your being 'substantially handicapped' in carrying out work which would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications.
• Your means and that of your spouse/partner are taken into account. Your parents' means are not considered.

Payment

This allowance is payable up to age 66 once the means and medical conditions are met. Two personal rates of this allowance are paid to a couple where each is eligible for the allowance.

If a person becomes a long stay patient in hospital or in residential care, the person retains their existing payment. A person is continued to be paid the fullrate if they are in part-time residential care. A person may also qualify for Living Alone Allowance, Free Travel and Benefits in Kind. If a person is a resident in an institution and you are not eligible for a social welfare payment they may qualify for a new Disability Allowance payment per week.

How to apply

Complete application form (DA1) available from post offices, your local Social Welfare Office or Disability Allowance Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Rd, Longford Ph: 043 45211 or 01 7043000

This is a long term payment made to insured people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity.

Who qualifies

You must satisfy the following medical and social conditions

1. Medical Conditions

You must have been incapable of work for at least 12 months and likely to be incapable of work for at least another 12 months OR
Be permanently incapable of work OR
Be over the age of 60 and have a serious illness or incapacity.

2. Social Conditions

You must have at least 260 (i.e. 5 years) PRSI paid contributions and at least 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete tax year before the date of your claim.

Payment

Invalidity Pension is payable as long as you remain incapable of work. At age 65, the personal rate of payment increases to the same rate as Retirement Pension.
Living alone allowance is payable regardless of age if you are living alone. You are entitled to a Free Travel Pass and if you are medically assessed and being unable to travel alone you may be entitled to a Companion Free Travel Pass.

Notes

• Invalidity Pension is taxable.
• You may be allowed to do rehabilitative type work of a maximum of 20 hours per week and retain your Invalidity Pension. This must be authorised by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

How to apply

Claim forms are available from your local Social Welfare Office or from
Invalidity New Claims Section, Social Welfare Services Office, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Rd, Longford, Ph: 043 45211 or 01 7043000.

This is a means tested monthly payment paid by the HSE for people with severe disabilities who are unable to walk.

Who qualifies

A person must be between 16 and 66 years of age and be unable to walk or must be in such a condition that to walk would be dangerous. The inability to walk must be likely to persist for at least one year. You must satisfy a means test.
People living in institutions may qualify for the allowance provided they meet the medical and means conditions. New applicants over 66 years old may not avail of this allowance.

Payment

Paid monthly, there are two rates of payment - the higher rate is for people who do not claim the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Relief. It is not paid to people availing of the HSE's Motorised Transport Grant for three years from the date of the grant.

How to apply

Apply to your Local Health Office.

This is a means tested monthly payment paid by the HSE for people with severe disabilities who are unable to walk.

Who qualifies

A person must be between 16 and 66 years of age and be unable to walk or must be in such a condition that to walk would be dangerous. The inability to walk must be likely to persist for at least one year. You must satisfy a means test.
People living in institutions may qualify for the allowance provided they meet the medical and means conditions. New applicants over 66 years old may not avail of this allowance.

Payment

Paid monthly, there are two rates of payment - the higher rate is for people who do not claim the Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Relief. It is not paid to people availing of the HSE's Motorised Transport Grant for three years from the date of the grant.

How to apply

Apply to your Local Health Office.