Invalidity Pension

Information

Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and are covered by social insurance. Normally, you must be getting Illness Benefit for at least 12 months before you claim Invalidity Pension. It may be possible to get Invalidity Pension after a shorter period if you are unlikely to be able to work for the rest of your life because of your illness or disability.

At age 65, the rate of payment increases to the same rate as State Pension (Transition). At age 66, you will transfer to State Pension (Contributory).

Invalidity Pension is taxable. You are entitled to a Free Travel Pass. You may also get extra social welfare benefits, for example, the Household Benefits Package.

If you think you have been wrongly refused Invalidity Pension or you are unhappy about a decision of a Social Welfare Deciding Officer about your entitlements, you can appeal this decision.

Rules

Social insurance contributions

To get Invalidity Pension you must have at least:

• 260 (5 years) paid contributions since entering social insurance
• 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete tax year before the date of your claim

The last complete tax year is the year before your claim. For example, if you claim Invalidity Pension in 2010, the last completed tax year is 2009.

Medical criteria

A doctor employed by the Department of Social and Family Affairs will decide if you are medically unfit for work and qualify on medical grounds for Invalidity pension.

To qualify you 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 (you will probably have been getting Illness Benefit or Disability Allowance during that time)

Or

• Be permanently incapable of work (in certain cases of very serious illness or disability, you can transfer directly from another social welfare payment or from your job to Invalidity Pension).

Invalidity Pension and work

You may be allowed to do rehabilitative work (up to a maximum 20 hours per week) and keep your Invalidity Pension. You must get written approval from the Department of Social and Family Affairs before you start work. The Department will decide if the work is rehabilitative.

Rates

Rate of Invalidity Pension from January 2010

 You may get an increase in your payment for an adult dependant and any child dependants you may have.

Tax implications

Invalidity Pension is a taxable source of income and should be reported to your tax office as soon as your payment starts. You can contact the Revenue Commissioners for more information.

How to apply

To apply fill in an Invalidity Pension application form (pdf). You can also get a form from your Social Welfare Local Office.

You can get help to fill in your form from your local Citizens Information Centre or Social Welfare Local Office.

Where to apply