Income supports for older people

The Department of Social Protection (DSP) has a range of payments to support older people. Each payment has its own qualifying conditions. If you are unsure whether or not you qualify for a payment, you should apply anyway.

Generally, payments are made up of a personal payment for yourself and extra amounts for your dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and any dependent children. (A cohabitant is a person living in an intimate and committed relationship with a person of the same or opposite sex who is not that person’s spouse, civil partner, or a close relative.)

You need enough PRSI contributions to qualify for social insurance payments.

State Pension (Contributory)

The State Pension (Contributory) is payable from the age of 66. You can choose to defer claiming your State Pension (Contributory) up to age 70. You are allowed to have income from any other source while you receive this pension, but both the income and the pension are taxable.

There are a number of pro-rata State Pensions (Contributory) which are paid at a lower rate. Pro-rata pensions were introduced because some people were excluded from the social insurance system at particular times.

You should apply for the State Pension (Contributory) 6 months before you want to start getting your pension.

Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension

You may be eligible for a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension if you are widowed or a surviving civil partner, have not remarried or cohabiting. You can transfer to the State Pension (Contributory) at the age of 66.

Occupational pensions are organised by employers to provide pensions to employees on retirement or to surviving dependants on the death of an employee. Personal pensions or Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSAs) are organised individually by self-employed people or employed people who do not have an occupational pension scheme.

Talk with your pension provider to find out exactly what benefits your pension gives you. The Pensions Authority is the regulatory body for occupational pensions and PRSAs. If you have a complaint, the Authority will advise you about your rights. The Financial Services and Pensions Ombudsman investigates and decides on complaints relating to occupational pensions and PRSAs. Generally, you may have income from other sources, for example, from work, if you are receiving a pension. There are some restrictions on getting both a pension and employment income from the public sector – you should check with the pension provider.

Social assistance payments are means-tested payments. Any means you may have, such as weekly income or savings, are taken into account for social assistance payments (but not your own home). You must also satisfy the habitual residence condition to qualify for these payments.

State Pension (Non-Contributory)

The State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a payment for people aged 66 or over who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory). Your rate of payment will depend on the outcome of a means test. You should apply to the DSP for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) 3 months before you turn 66.

Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension

If you are widowed or a surviving civil partner who is not entitled to a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, you may be eligible for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension. This is a means-tested payment for widows, widowers or surviving civil partners who do not have dependent children. At age 66 you transfer to the State Pension (Non-Contributory).

If you are getting a social welfare payment from the DSP, you may be entitled to additional or extra benefits depending on your personal circumstances.

Increase for Living Alone

The Living Alone Increase is a supplementary payment for people on social welfare pensions who are living alone. It is also available to people under the age of 66 who get certain other payments from the DSP.

Aged 80 increase

If you are getting a social welfare pension, you automatically get an increase in your pension when you reach 80 years of age.

Increase for living on a specified island

This is an increase in the weekly payment of certain payments from the DSP, or the EU equivalent, to people who are aged 66 or over and living on a specified island off the coast of Ireland. The Increase for Living on a Specified Island is to compensate for the additional costs of living on these islands compared to living on the mainland.

Household Benefits Package

The Household Benefits Package includes the Electricity or Gas Allowance and Free TV Licence. If you are aged 70 or over, you qualify regardless of your income or who lives with you. The scheme may also be available to people aged 66 and over who get certain social welfare payments or whose income is below certain limits.

Free travel

The Free Travel Scheme allows you to travel, free of charge, on public transport and some private bus and ferry services.

Everyone aged 66 and over, living permanently in Ireland, qualify for the Free Travel Scheme.

People who are entitled to free travel are also entitled to have their spouse/partner travel free with them or may be entitled to a Companion Pass on medical grounds. The Free Travel Scheme also covers public transport services in Northern Ireland for people over 66 years of age who have a Senior SmartPass Card.

Fuel Allowance

The Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to help people with their heating costs during the winter months. You can get Fuel Allowance if you are aged 66 years or over, or getting long-term social welfare payments. Only one Fuel Allowance is paid to each household. You may qualify if you get certain payments from the Department of Social Protection or the EU equivalent.

Carers

If you are providing full-time care to someone who is ill or incapacitated, you may qualify for a carer’s payment such as Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit. More information on income supports for carers is available in our page on payments and supports for carers.

Housing

There are some housing supports and grants that are particularly relevant to older people. For example, there is some accessible social housing and a number of grants available to adapt your home, if you have mobility difficulties when you get older.

Housing Aid for Older People Scheme

The Housing Aid for Older People Grant is a grant administered by your local authority for essential repairs to improve the condition of your home so you can continue to live there.

Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability

If your home needs to be adapted to enable you to enter and move around safely so you can continue to live there, you may qualify for a Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability. Contact your local authority for more information.

Mobility Aids Grants Scheme

The Mobility Aids Grant Scheme provides grants to address mobility problems in the home, for example, the grant can be used for access ramps or a stair-lift. Contact your local authority for more information.

Warmer Homes Scheme

Under this scheme, services like attic insulation and draught-proofing are provided to homeowners who get certain social welfare payments. There is no charge for work done under this scheme. Read more about the Warmer Homes Scheme.

Refuse and water charges

In some local authority areas, low-income households can avail of a waiver (that is, a reduction or total exemption) on waste and water charges made by private operators and by local authorities. These waivers vary greatly from region to region and, in some areas, they are not available at all. Contact your local authority to find out if it operates a waiver scheme.

If you are getting a means-tested payment, working may affect the rate you get. Check with the Department of Social Protection before taking up work to see what the effect will be. You can have up to €200 in earnings from insurable employment without it affecting your State Pension (Non-Contributory).

See working in retirement for more information on working in retirement and the impact on your pension, social welfare payments, income tax etc.

You can find out more about all social welfare schemes and payments, and get help with filling out application forms at your local Citizen Information Centre and the Citizens Information Phone Service at 0818 07 4000.

You can also visit your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office for more information. You can now apply online for many social welfare payments using the MyWelfare website. MyWelfare is just another way to access services, apply for benefits, or amend your details. You can also upload your supporting documents using MyWelfare.