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Pensions and +65s

Living Alone Increase

What is the Living Alone Increase?

The Living Alone Increase is a supplementary payment provided to individuals on certain social welfare payments who live alone.

How to qualify for the Living Alone Increase:

You qualify if:

  • You are 66 years or over, live alone, and receive one of the following payments:
  • State Pension (Contributory)
  • State Pension (Non-contributory)
  • Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
  • Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
  • Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
  • Deserted Wife's Benefit

  • You are under 66, live alone, and receive one of the following payments:
  • Disability Allowance
  • Invalidity Pension
  • Incapacity Supplement
  • Blind Pension

    • The stipulation that you must live alone has some exceptions:

  • If you live in an extension of a family member's home, like a "granny flat", you could qualify if you have independent facilities for cooking and eating, as well as separate living/dining and sleeping areas.
  • If you are aged or infirm and have a relative or friend stay overnight for security reasons, you may qualify as long as they do not financially contribute to the household.
  • If you live alone during the day but stay with friends or relatives at night, or vice versa, you may still qualify as long as the relatives have a permanent home address elsewhere.
  • If you live alone but occasionally have paying guests (like during a festival), you may qualify. However, running a bed and breakfast business disqualifies you.
  • If you live in sheltered accommodation, you may qualify if you are seen as living independently within the institution. However, you cannot qualify if you share dormitory accommodation with others, or if you have round-the-clock supervision or nursing care
  • If you live in a nursing home, you will not qualify as you cannot be considered as living completely or mainly alone.

    • Rates of Payment:

    The rate of payment for the Living Alone Increase is €22.00 per week, effective from January 7, 2022. The payment is intended to help cover the additional costs of living alone.

    How to Apply:

    To apply, fill in the Living Alone Increase application form (LA1)

    Send the completed form to the section of the department that pays your main pension or benefit.