Replacing a lost social welfare book or Social Services Card
Information
If you live in Ireland and are getting a social welfare payment, you can choose the method by which you are paid. There are three different methods of payment:
- Electronic Fund Transfer: social welfare payment paid directly into your bank account
- Payable order: a book of payable orders to cash at your local post office
- Social Welfare Services Card (SWS): used for identification purposes to collect certain social welfare payments at your local post office.
If your social welfare payment book or Social Services Card is lost or
stolen or destroyed you can get a replacement. You must complete an application
form as soon as possible and return it to the section in the Department of
Social Protection that pays your payment - see ‘How to apply’ below. The
Department will then issue you with a replacement payment book or Social
Services Card as quickly as possible. If you get a replacement social welfare
payment book, the first order in the book will be payable on the pay-date after
the last order you cashed.
How to apply
You can download an application form for a Replacement Social Services Card or Pension or Benefit or Allowance Book (pdf). You should send your application form only after it has been stamped by the Post Office where you get your payment.
Application forms are also available from your local post Office or social welfare local office or call the Department of Social Protection Lo-call Leaflet Request Line on: 1890 20 23 25
Where to apply
Send your completed application form to the section in the Department that
pays your payment. The contact details for the relevant section is given on the
back page of the application form - see ‘How to apply’ above.
Language
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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.