Civil partnership and social welfare entitlements
Information
For the purposes of most social welfare claims (for example, Jobseeker's Allowance and Supplementary Welfare Allowance claims) cohabiting couples, people in civil partnerships and married couples are treated the same. However, your civil status will affect your entitlement to Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension or Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension.
You can only claim Widow's/Widower's/Surviving Civil Partner's Pension if your civil partner dies. You will not be entitled to this pension if you enter into a new civil partnership or marry.
Where to apply
If you are in doubt about how your civil status will affect your claim, you should contact your local social welfare office. In the case of supplementary welfare allowance, you should contact the Community Welfare Officer in your local Health Centre.
Language
Related Documents
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory)
Pension
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's contributory pension (formerly the Widow's/Widower's (Contributory) Pension) and related social welfare benefits may be payable if either the deceased person or their spouse/civil partner has enough PRSI contributions. - Checklist: People parenting alone
- Means test
To qualify for a social assistance payment you must satisfy a means test. A means test examines all your sources of income. However, some income is not taken into account in the calculation of your means.
Contact Us
If you have a question relating to this topic you can contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0761 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 9pm) or you can visit your local Citizens Information Centre.