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 (PRSI). 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 66, you 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 PRSI contributions since entering social insurance
- 48 contributions paid or credited in the last complete tax year before the date of your claim
Note that only PRSI paid in classes A, E and H count. The last complete tax year is the year before your claim. For example, if you claim Invalidity Pension in 2012, the last complete tax year is 2011.
Medical criteria
A doctor employed by the Department of Social Protection decides whether 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 Protection before you start work. The Department decides if the work is rehabilitative.
Rates
Rate of Invalidity Pension in 2012
| Invalidity Pension | Weekly rate, € |
| Aged under 65 | 193.50 |
| Aged 65 | 230.30 |
| Qualified adult under 66 | 138.10 |
| Qualified adult over 66 | 206.30 |
| Qualified child | 29.80 (full-rate) 14.90 (half-rate) |
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
Invalidity Pension Section
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road
Longford
Ireland
Tel:(043) 334 0000
Locall:1890 92 77 70
Language
Related Documents
- Disability payments and work
You may be able to work and either keep all or some of your disability payment. Find out how rehabilitative work can affect your Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit and any secondary benefits you are getting. - Illness Benefit
Information about Illness Benefit, a payment made to people under 66 who are unable to work because of illness. - Disablement Benefit
Disablement benefit may be payable to you if as a result of an accident at work in Ireland or a prescribed disease contracted at work, you suffer a loss of physical or mental faculty.
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.