Social Welfare Ireland

The social welfare system in the Republic of Ireland can be sometimes complicated. You must know its policies and it's principles & gather as much information as possible. Here at haveyoursay.ie we give our users the opportunity  to share information among each other unlike other social protection sites in Ireland. We allow the public to give a brief overview to help you figure out some of the attributes you may be entitled to from Social Welfare Ireland.

How Social Welfare Ireland Works:

It has four systematic ways for income support:

1. Contributory:

Social insurance payments or the benefits are related to PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance) which is a payment made by both employers & employees being deposited in the national fund of Ireland.

Rules for Social Insurance Payments

You must make a good number of PRSI contributions. Under this system, each employee gets a payment for working a week and earning more than €38. These contributions are called ‘stamps’ for the employed and ‘credits’ or credited contribution for the unemployed people. These credits make you eligible for a payment under the specific contribution rules. In case you have no work, show a proof that you are ‘actually seeking work’ and only then you will get a payment.

2. Non-Contributory:

Social assistance payments or allowances are for them who earn below a certain level and fail to make contributions to become eligible for the contributory benefits. A ‘means test’ is executed to observe all of your income sources and calculate the total income. If it satisfies the rules under this system, you will get the non-contributory allowances.

Rules for Social Assistance Payments

You must pass the means test that is done by the Department of Social Protection. The test result will show a record of your income and show your eligibility for this income support. If the mean is zero, you will get the full amount of money less than the level of your means. If you are unemployed and want to receive the payment, you must show a proof that you are ‘actually seeking work’. The non-contributory allowances also demand a proof that you are Habitually Resident in Ireland. It’s called the HRC condition.

3. Universal:

The universal payment does not require any proof of your eligibility like the contributory benefits & non-contributory allowances. It includes-

Free travel on the public transport (for adults)

Child benefits.

4. Extra Income Supports:

The extra income supports follow several rules to make you eligible for receiving the payment. Sometimes, you have to go through the means test, or they may check your personal records, past histories, present financial condition or few other circumstances before releasing the payment. It includes-

Treatment Benefit: It’s applicable to the approved workers or the retired people who have already made the required number of contributions. They will get:

Dental Benefit

Optical Benefit

Hearing Aids

Eye Examination

Free Travel:

If you are aged above 66, you will get the qualification for free travel within Ireland. Your spouse or civil partner may also travel for free if you can issue a companion pass from the

Department of Social Protection.

Household Benefits:

Under this scheme, you will get extra privilege on the usage of electricity or gas.

National Fuel Scheme: This scheme claims that the welfare system will help its people to pay the cost of fuel. They will pay for the fuel on behalf of you if they find you unable to make the payment by yourself.

Living Alone Allowance:

It’s an extra payment system which is applicable to the people on social welfare pensions and are living alone.

Few Schemes of Social Welfare Ireland:

Habitual Residence Condition

You will be considered as a habitually resident if you or your family members live here permanently, you are engaged to any professional institution or you own a home in any state of Ireland.

It provides-

Blind Pension

One-Parent Family Payment

Carer’s Allowance

Jobseeker’s Allowance

Disability Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Guardian’s Payment

State Pension

EC Regulations

The regulations are applicable to the people who travel and work within EEA (European Economic Area).

The regulations ensure-

Illness & maternity benefits

Jobseekers benefit

Invalidity pension

Widows or widowers & orphans pensions

Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA)

To get this allowance you must pass the ‘means test’. It is applicable for them who are unable to earn enough to take care of themselves.

It provides-

Urgent payments

Fuel allowance

Rent supplement

Mortgage insurance supplement

Schooling, clothing and footwear allowances

Medical card.