Partial Capacity Benefit

Partial Capacity Benefit is a social welfare scheme which allows you to return to work or self-employment (if you have reduced capacity to work) and continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection (DSP).

If you have been getting Illness Benefit (for a minimum of 6 months) or Invalidity Pension and wish to return to work, you may qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit if your capacity for work is reduced by your medical condition.

You will qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit if your restriction on capacity for work is assessed as moderate, severe, or profound. If it is assessed as mild you will not qualify.

You can use a Benefit of Work Estimator tool on welfare.ie to help you check the financial consequences of starting work and claiming Partial Capacity Benefit.

There is no requirement that the work a person does while on Partial Capacity Benefit has to be for rehabilitative or therapeutic purposes.

Voluntary work

If you are getting Illness Benefit and want to do volunteer work, you must apply directly to the Partial Capacity Benefit section for permission (see ‘Where to apply for Partial Capacity Benefit’ below).

If you are getting the Invalidity Pension and want to do volunteer work, you must apply directly to the Invalidity Pension section for permission.

Training

If you are on Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and want to do a FET (formerly FÁS) training course, you do not go onto Partial Capacity Benefit. You apply to the Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension section, as appropriate.

You cannot get Partial Capacity Benefit and take part in a Community Employment Scheme.

To qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit, you need to be currently getting either:

• Illness Benefit (for a minimum of 6 months), or
• Invalidity Pension

You may not work until you have received written approval to do so from the Department of Social Protection. You should also get the approval of your doctor before taking up employment.

There is no restriction on earnings or number of hours you can work. You can work in a self-employed capacity while getting Partial Capacity Benefit. You cannot get Partial Capacity Benefit and Working Family Payment together. You can get Partial Capacity Benefit and a half-rate Carer's Allowance together.

How long can I get Partial Capacity Benefit?

If you are coming from Invalidity Pension, your Partial Capacity Benefit will continue for a maximum of 3 years (156 weeks). However, you can apply for PCB again at the end of the 3 years. You will be reassessed to find out if you qualify.

If you are coming from Illness Benefit, your Partial Capacity Benefit payment will continue to the end of your entitlement to Illness Benefit.

If you are unable to work due to illness

If you are getting Partial Capacity Benefit and you are unable to work for a period of time due to illness, you should contact the Partial Capacity Section – see ‘Where to apply’ below.

For short periods of illness (up to 8 weeks at a time), you can stay on Partial Capacity Benefit, but your weekly rate can be increased to the full Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension personal rate.

For longer periods of illness (greater than 8 weeks), DSP will reassess your Partial Capacity Benefit claim and you may return to your Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension. If you become able for work again you can contact DSP about going back onto Partial Capacity Benefit.

Partial Capacity Benefit is made up of a personal rate for you and may include increases for your qualified adult and qualified child(ren). The personal rate of payment is based on the assessment of your restriction on capacity for work, whether you were in receipt of Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and your current rate of payment.

Increases for qualified children and adults continue to be paid at the same rate. The conditions for payment of increases are the same as those that applied to your Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension claim.

Partial Capacity Benefit will be paid directly by Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) into your Irish bank or building society account (not a mortgage account). It is taxable.

Secondary benefits

If you were getting Invalidity Pension and were entitled to Free Travel or Island Allowance, you can keep these if you qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit. You cannot keep your Fuel Allowance.

You can also keep the Household Benefits Package but it will be means-tested after the first 2 years and annually after that. The means test has a weekly income limit. This limit is the maximum rate of State Pension (Contributory) for your circumstances (this includes any dependents you may have) plus €120. Your weekly income limit is then compared to your weekly means in a means test.

If you were getting Invalidity Pension and a Living Alone Allowance (LAA) with your Invalidity Pension (or you start to live alone while you are getting PCB), your rate of PCB will be calculated on the basis of your Invalidity Pension and your LAA. So, for example, if your restriction on capacity for work is severe, your PCB payment will be 75% of your IP and LAA payment.

You should check with the Department of Social Protection to see how your Rent Supplement may be affected by your participation in the Partial Capacity Scheme.

To apply, fill in a Partial Capacity Benefit application form (pdf). The Partial Capacity Benefit Section can post you an application form - see 'Where to apply' below for their contact details.

A Medical Assessor will assess the restriction on your capacity for work. This may require you to attend a medical assessment. You should include all appropriate medical evidence with your application. If you qualify for Partial Capacity Benefit, you are not required to send in medical certificates.

When to apply

You must apply for Partial Capacity Benefit within 21 days of starting work.

You can apply for Partial Capacity Benefit before you get a job. You must start work within 13 weeks of making your application.

Partial Capacity Benefit is not paid to people over 66. You should apply for a State Pension at least 3 months before your 66th birthday.

Appeals

You can appeal a decision on your claim for Partial Capacity Benefit to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. You should appeal within 21 days of getting the decision.