Death Benefits under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
Introduction
If a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease, Death Benefit (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme) may be paid to their surviving spouse or civil partner or dependent child. Death Benefit may also be paid if, at the time of their death, the person was getting a Disablement Pension assessed at 50% or more, regardless of the cause of death.
The Death Benefit Scheme includes:
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension
- Orphan's Pension
- Funeral Grant
Budget 2024: increase to Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension
It was announced in Budget 2024 that people on the maximum rate of Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Death Benefit Scheme will get an increase of €12 per week from January 2024. There will be proportional increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment.
Rules
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension
This is paid to the surviving spouse or civil partner of a person who died as a result of an accident at work, an occupational disease or who was getting a Disablement Pension assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death. You cannot get the pension if you remarry, enter into a civil partnership or cohabit with another person. The pension is not affected by any income you may have. Increases for qualified children are paid with the pension. The pension is taxable.
A Widow's Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Death Benefit Scheme cannot be paid at the same time as a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension.
Orphan's Pension
This is paid on behalf of a child if the parent, step-parent or person who supported the child died as a result of an accident at work, an occupational disease or was getting a Disablement Pension assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death. The orphan's guardian should apply for the payment.
Funeral Grant
If the deceased person meets the conditions a special Funeral Grant can be paid to the person who pays for the funeral expenses. A Funeral Grant is not taxable.
Rates
Payments under the Death Benefit Scheme are paid at higher rates than a standard Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension or a Guardian's payment.
Death Benefit Scheme rates 2023
| Rate of payment | Increase for a child dependant
|
|
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner (under 66) | €250.50 | Child under 12 years of age
€42 (full rate), €21 (half rate)
Child aged 12 or over €50 (full rate), €25 (half rate) |
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner (over 66) | €269.70 | |
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner (over 80) | €279.70 | |
| Orphan's Pension | €206.80 | |
| Funeral Grant (once-off lump sum) | €850 | |
How to apply
A claim for any of the payments under the Death Benefit Scheme should be made within 3 months of the date of death, otherwise you may lose some benefit.
Complete claim form OB 61(pdf) which is available from your local social welfare office. Send your completed claim form to the Death Benefit Section at the address below.