Social welfare payments and living on a specified island
Information
If you are getting one of the social welfare payments listed below and living on certain islands off the coast of Ireland you can get an increase in your social welfare payment, this had been referred to as an Island Allowance.
People living on islands can face extra expenses travelling to the mainland in order to avail of services. The purpose of the increase is to compensate for the additional costs of living on an island off the coast of Ireland.
Since March 2005, people getting certain pensions from another EU state are entitled to an increase for living on a specified island.
Rules
To qualify for an increase in the rate of your social welfare payment you must ordinarily live on a specified island off the coast of Ireland, be 66 years of age or over and getting one of the following payments:
- State Pension (Non-Contributory)
- State Pension (Contributory)
- Blind Pension
- State Pension (Transition)
- Invalidity Pension
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
- Carer’s Allowance
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Widow’s/Widower’s Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
If you are 66 years of age or over and getting a comparable pension to those listed above from another EU State, you are also entitled to the increase.
If you live on a specified island and are under 66 years of age you will qualify for an increase of your social welfare payment if you are getting one of the following social welfare payments:
- Invalidity Pension
- Disability Allowance
- Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
- Blind Pension
If you are under 66 years of age and getting a comparable pension to those listed above from another EU State, you are also entitled to the increase.
Where to apply
There is no application form to get an increase in the rate of your social
welfare payment for living on a specifed island. You are assessed for an
increase at the time of your application for a social welfare payment. If you
are on a qualifying payment you automatically get the increase when you reach
66 years of age.
If you have any questions about the increase in the rate of your social welfare
payment for living on a specifed island or whether you are entitled to it, you
should contact the section in the
Department of Social Protection which pays your social welfare payment. A
lo-call number may be provided.
Language
Related Documents
- Income supports for older people
Find out about the range of payments available, and link to a broader checklist of entitlements for older people. - State Pension (Non-Contributory)
The State Pension (Non-Contributory) previously called the Old Age Non-Contributory Pension is a means-tested payment available to people in Ireland aged 66 and over who do not qualify for a contributory pension. - 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.
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.