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Invalidity Pension

What is an Invalidity Pension?

Invalidity Pension is a benefit provided in Ireland for people who are permanently incapable of working due to long-term illness or disability. It is paid to individuals who have made sufficient social insurance (PRSI) contributions.

How to qualify for Invalidity Pension:

To qualify you must meet the:

  • Medical criteria: The applicant 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. In certain cases of very serious illness or disability, the applicant can transfer directly from another social welfare payment or from their job to Invalidity Pension.
  • Social insurance (PRSI) contributions: Only class A, E, H and S contributions count towards Invalidity Pension. The applicant must have at least 260 weeks of paid PRSI contributions since they started paying into social insurance, and 48 weeks of paid or credited PRSI contributions in the last OR second-last complete contribution year before the relevant date.

    The relevant date is established based on the date of commencement of permanent incapacity for work.

    Note: Voluntary contributions cannot be used to satisfy the contribution conditions for Invalidity Pension.

    • Rates of Payment:

    The weekly rates for Invalidity Pension are:

    Payment Type Weekly Payment Rate
    Personal Rate €225.50
    Increase for a Qualified Adult €161.10
    Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12, (Full Rate) €42.00
    Increase for a Qualified Child Under 12, (Half Rate) €21.00
    Increase for a Qualified Child Over 12, (Full Rate) €50.00
    Increase for a Qualified Child Over 12, (Half Rate) €25.00

    Qualified Adult: a spouse or partner whose income is below a certain level.

    Qualified Child: a child who must live with the recipient in the State, be the correct age for the payment being claimed, and not be in legal custody.

    Other Benefits:

    Recipients of Invalidity Pension are entitled to a Free Travel Scheme travel pass and may also qualify for additional social welfare benefits, such as the Household Benefits Package (HB1).

    The payment continues until the recipient turns 66, at which point they automatically move on to the State Pension (Contributory) Application Form (SPC1) at the full rate. If you are receiving an Invalidity Pension you may be entitled to apply for Partial Capacity Benefit (PCB1).

    Taxes:

    Invalidity Pension is subject to income tax. The Department of Social Protection pays the Invalidity Pension without deducting tax, but notifies the Revenue of the taxable amount of Invalidity Pension for income tax purposes. Social insurance (PRSI) and USC are not charged on Invalidity Pension payments.

    How to Apply:

    To apply

  • Fill in the Invalidity Pension form.
  • You can also get this form at your local Intreo Centre.

    • Return your completed application form with any supporting documents to:

    Invalidity Pension Claims Section
    Address: Social Welfare Services,
    Government Buildings,
    Ballinalee Road,
    Longford,
    Co. Longford,
    N39 E4E0

    Email: Invgenenq@welfare.ie
    Phone number: 043 3340000 or 0818 927770

    NOTE:

    If you have been getting Illness Benefit (IB1) for a period of 468 days, you will be medically assessed for continued entitlement to Illness Benefit and possible entitlement to Invalidity Pension.

    If, as a result of this assessment, it is considered that you may be entitled to Invalidity Pension, an application form (INV2) will be sent to you.

    When they get the completed form a Deciding Officer will examine the claim and determine eligibility for Invalidity Pension.

    Invalidity Pension (INV1)