What is Partial Capacity Benefit?
Partial Capacity Benefit allows individuals who have been out of work due to illness or disability to return to employment or self-employment and still continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection.
The payment is designed for those who may not be able to work full-time or at the same capacity as they had been able to prior to their illness or disability. The rate of the payment depends on an individual's medical assessment of their incapacity to work.
How to qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit:
To qualify you must currently be receiving either:
Your restriction on capacity for work must be assessed as moderate, severe, or profound. If it's mild, you will not qualify.
It's important to apply for Partial Capacity Benefit before starting work because if you begin employment before your claim has been approved, your entitlement to the benefit may be affected.
You're allowed to earn any amount and work as many hours as you wish while receiving the Partial Capacity Benefit. You can also work in a self-employed capacity.
You're able to receive Partial Capacity Benefit and a half-rate Carer's Allowance (CR1) together. However, you can't receive Partial Capacity Benefit and Working Family Payment (WFP1) together.
Rates of Payment:
The payment amount under the Partial Capacity Benefit is based on:
Based on the level of incapacity as assessed by the medical examination, the payments are as follows:
| Level of Incapacity | Payment if Previously Receiving Illness Benefit | Payment if Previously Receiving Invalidity Pension |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | €110.00 | €122.75 |
| Severe | €165.00 | €169.10 |
| Profound | €220.00 | €225.50 |
The payment can include extra amounts for a qualified adult and any qualified dependent children.
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.
How to Apply
To apply:
A medical assessor will assess your capacity for work. You may have to attend a medical assessment.If you qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit, you don’t have to send in regular medical certificates.
You should apply for Partial Capacity Benefit before you start to look for work. Your payment may change when you go back to work but this will not happen until you actually start work.
Please return your completed application form and relevant supporting documents to:
Partial Capacity Benefit Section
