http___www.welfare.ie_ga_Pages_What-is-the-Household-Budget-Service.aspx_1.xml
1.1 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.1 7.1 8.1 9.1 9.2 10.1 11.1 12.1 13.1 14.1 15.1 16.1 17.1 18.1 19.1 20.1 21.1 21.2 22.1 23.1 24.1 25.1 26.1 26.2 27.1 28.1 29.1 30.1 31.1 31.2 32.1 33.1 34.1 35.1 36.1 37.1 38.1 39.1 40.1 41.1 42.1 43.1 43.2 43.3 44.1 44.2 45.1 46.1 47.1 48.1 49.1 50.1 51.1 52.1 53.1 54.1 55.1 56.1 57.1 57.2 58.1 58.2 59.1 60.1 61.1 62.1 63.1 64.1 65.1 66.1 67.1 68.1 69.1 70.1 71.1 72.1 73.1 74.1 75.1 76.1 77.1 78.1 79.1 80.1 81.1 82.1 83.1 84.1 86.1 86.2 87.1 87.2 88.1 89.1 90.1 91.1 91.2 92.1 92.2 93.1 93.2 94.1 95.1 96.1 96.2 97.1 98.1 99.1 100.1 101.1 102.1 103.1 104.1 105.1 105.2 106.1 107.1 108.1 109.1 109.2 109.3 110.1 111.1 112.1 113.1 114.1 114.2 115.1 115.2 116.1 117.1 118.1 119.1 119.2 119.3 120.1 121.1 122.1 123.1 124.1 124.2 124.3 125.1 126.1 126.2 126.3 127.1 127.2 128.1 129.1 129.2 129.3 130.1 131.1 131.2 132.1 133.1 134.1 135.1 136.1 137.1 138.1 139.1 140.1 141.1 142.1 143.1 143.2 144.1 145.1 146.1 146.2 147.1 148.1 149.1 150.1 151.1 152.1 153.1 154.1 155.1 156.1 158.1 158.2 159.1 160.1 160.2 161.1 161.2 162.1 163.1 164.1 165.1 166.1 167.1 168.1 169.1 170.1 171.1 172.1 173.1 174.1 175.1 176.1 177.1 178.1 179.1 180.1 181.1 181.2 182.1 183.1 184.1 185.1 186.1 187.1 188.1 189.1 190.1 191.1 192.1 192.2 193.1 193.2 194.1 194.2 195.1 196.1 197.1 198.1 199.1 200.1 201.1 202.1 203.1 204.1 204.2 205.1 206.1 207.1 208.1 208.2 209.1 210.1 211.1 212.1 213.1 215.1 216.1 217.1 218.1 219.1 219.2
- What is Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension? - What are the social insurance conditions I must satisfy to qualify for this pension? - What arrangements are in place regarding late claims and from when? - What does this mean for a person applying for this pension? - Are there any circumstances where the Department will backdate a claim for more than 6 months? - What change has taken place to the minimum number of paid contributions required for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension and from what date did this change take effect? - Who is affected by this change? - How can I get a copy of my social insurance record? - Neither I nor my late spouse or civil partner have 260 paid Irish social insurance contributions, but I or my late spouse or civil partner worked abroad. Can social insurance contributions from another country be used to satisfy this requirement? - Do the social insurance contributions paid in a country covered by EC Regulations or with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement count towards Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory pension? - How do I know what type of contribution I am paying? - What is a "Contribution Year"? - What are "self-employed contributions"? - How do I calculate my "Short Yearly Average"? - How do I calculate my "Long Yearly Average"? - How much will I get? - What other benefits or allowances can I get? - Can I be employed on a CE Scheme and receive my pension? - Can I get a training allowance and receive my pension? - When and how do I apply for my pension? - I am not happy with the decision made by the Department on my application for pension. What can I do next? - How will I get my payment? - Does the Department of Social Protection deduct Income Tax from my Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension? - I am under 66 years and retiring from work, how can I protect my Social Insurance record for pension purposes? - If I go to live abroad, will I continue to receive my pension? - I am a widow, widower or surviving civil partner but I do not qualify for this pension. What can I do? - Where can I get more information? - What countries are covered by either EC Regulations or a Bilateral Agreement with Ireland? - What are the different PRSI Classes? What is Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension? Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is a social insurance payment made to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners. It is based on the social insurance (PRSI) record of either the claimant or their late spouse or civil partner. The pension is not means tested, so your rate of payment is not affected by other income you may have such as an occupational pension, earnings from employment, etc. You qualify for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension if you: - are widowed or a surviving civil partner or - are divorced from your late spouse (as recognised in this State) and have not remarried or - have had your civil partnership with your late civil partner dissolved and have not registered in a new civil partnership and and - you satisfy certain social insurance contribution conditions or - your late spouse or civil partner got a certain rate State Pension (Transition) or a certain rate State Pension (Contributory) which included an increase for you as a Qualified Adult or would have included this increase but for the fact that you were getting a State Pension (Non-Contributory), a Blind Pension or Carer's Allowance in your own right. What are the social insurance conditions I must satisfy to qualify for this pension? To qualify for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension either you or your late spouse or civil partner must satisfy certain social insurance conditions. All of these conditions must be met on one person's record; you may not combine both of your records. All contributions must have been made before the death of your spouse or civil partner. PRSI contributions at Classes A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, P, N and S are counted when assessing your entitlement to Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. Voluntary contributions are also counted. To qualify for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension either you or your late spouse or civil partner must have: a) 260 paid social insurance contributions paid to the date of death of the spouse/civil partner or before pension age (currently, age 66), whichever is earlier and b) have a yearly average of either - 39 paid or credited social insurance contributions in either the 3 or 5 years before death of the spouse/civil partner or before they reached pension age (called the 'Short Yearly Average') or - at least 24 paid or credited social insurance contributions from the year of first entry into social insurance until either the year of death of the spouse/civil partner or the year they reached pension age, whichever is earlier (called the 'Long Yearly Average'). What arrangements are in place regarding late claims and from when? Late claims for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension may be backdated for a maximum period of 6 months. What does this mean for a person applying for this pension? A person applying for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension should do so as soon as possible after their spouse or civil partner dies. If a claim is submitted more than six months after the date of death, it will be accepted and, if eligible, payment will only be backdated for a maximum of six months prior to the date the claim is received by the Department, regardless of date of death of the spouse or civil partner. Are there any circumstances where the Department will backdate a claim for more than 6 months? In certain circumstances it may be possible to backdate claims for a period beyond six months: - Where you failed to claim at the date of entitlement because of false or misleading information given to you, or a person acting on your behalf, by staff of the Department. If this is the case, you must give full details of the false or misleading information you got, including the name of the officer who gave the incorrect information (if known), the office where they gave the incorrect information and the date they gave it - Where you failed to claim at the date of entitlement because you were so incapacitated by illness or infirmity that you could not apply or instruct another person to apply on your behalf. If this is the case, you must supply medical evidence from your doctor explaining why the illness or incapacity prevented you from applying yourself or appointing someone to apply for you. Where illness or incapacity is claimed, your claim to pension must have been made before or within 6 months of the date you ceased to be ill or incapacitated. Note: Your lack of knowledge of entitlement to pension or the lack of knowledge of entitlement to pension of an agent/person acting for you is not regarded as satisfying the criteria to backdate your claim. The lack of knowledge by third parties, incorrect information or advice which is supplied to you, or failure to act by an individual or agency other than an employee of the Department will not be regarded as a basis for a further backdating of pension payment. What change has taken place to the minimum number of paid contributions required for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension and from what date did this change take effect? Since the 27th December 2013, the minimum number of paid contributions required for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension will is 260 (previously 156 paid contributions). Who is affected by this change? Any person who submits a claim for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension where the date of death of their spouse or civil partner is on or after 27th December 2013 is affected by this change. They will need to have at least 260 paid social insurance contributions on either their own record or on the record of their spouse or civil partner, as well as satisfy the condition mentioned at Part (b) of Question 2. How can I get a copy of my social insurance record? You can request a copy of your social insurance record - online in the Online Services area of our website www.welfare.ie or - by writing to our Central Records Section (address below), and telling us your: - PPS Number - Name - Address - Date of Birth - Birth Surname (if you are a married woman) - Mother's Birth Surname - Pre-1979 Insurance Number (if you worked in Ireland pre-1979) - Telephone number (in case we need to contact you) Central Records Department of Social Protection McCarter's Road Ardarvan Buncrana Co. Donegal Neither I nor my late spouse or civil partner have 260 paid Irish social insurance contributions, but I or my late spouse or civil partner worked abroad. Can social insurance contributions from another country be used to satisfy this requirement? Social insurance in a country covered by EC Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement can be used to satisfy this requirement. For a list of these countries, see Question 27. Since the 27th December 2013, the minimum number of paid contributions required for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is 260. Note: You or your late spouse or civil partner must have at least 52 Irish social insurance contributions/credits, of which at least one must be a paid contribution. Do the social insurance contributions paid in a country covered by EC Regulations or with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement count towards Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory pension? If you do not qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension based on the Irish social insurance record alone, these contributions may help you qualify for a pro-rata pension under EC Regulations or under a Bilateral Social Security Agreement. You may also qualify for a pension from the other country or contries. When applying for your pension here, you should give details on your application form of any employment or periods of residence abroad. We will send the relevant papers, on your behalf, to the authorities in the country or countries listed at Question 28. EU rules on social security coordination enable you to move around Europe and not lose out on your social security rights. You can watch a short video which explains what will happen to your rights to an old-age pension if you live and work in more than one country of the European Union or in Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Back to top How do I know what type of contribution I am paying? The type of contribution, or PRSI Class, you pay is shown on your P60. See Question 29 for an explanation of the different PRSI Classes. What is a "Contribution Year"? A "contribution year" is a year of assessment within the meaning of the Income Tax Acts, and is generally referred to as the "tax year". What are "self-employed contributions"? Self-employed rate social insurance contributions are PRSI contributions at Class S. These contributions are counted when assessing your entitlement to Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. If you or your late spouse or civil partner were self-employed and started paying Class S PRSI contributions on 6 th April 1988, your entitlement to Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension may be calculated based on the social insurance record from that date, if it results in you getting a higher rate pension, provided you satisfy the other conditions for the pension. You or your late spouse or civil partner must have paid self-employment contributions for at least one year before reaching the age of 66 or date of death, if earlier. It is important to ensure any PRSI liabilities are paid on time, to avoid possible loss of pension payment. How do I calculate my "Short Yearly Average"? Count the number of social insurance contribution and credits on either your own or your late spouse's or civil partner's record in the 3 (or 5) full contribution years before either pension age (currently 66) or their date of death, if earlier. Call this 'Contributions and Credits'. Your 'Short Yearly Average' is calculated as follows: Short Yearly Average = Contributions and Credits ÷ 3 or 5 Example: A person starts paying social insurance on 1st January 2008 and continues to do so up until the death of their spouse on 1st April 2013. They have paid 52 contributions in each of the contribution years 2008, 2009,2010, 2011 and 2012 giving a total of 260 'Contributions and Credits'. Their Short Yearly Average is calculated as follows: Contribution Years = 3 Contributions and Credits = 156 (paid in years 2012, 2011 and 2010) Short Yearly Average = Contributions and Credits ÷ Total Contribution Years = 156÷3 = 52 How do I calculate my "Long Yearly Average"? Count the number of contribution years, beginning with the year either you or your late spouse or civil partner first started paying social insurance up to and including the last full contribution year before pension age (currently 66) or before your spouse's or civil partner's death, if earlier. Call this "Total Contribution Years". Count all the paid contributions and credits on either your record or on your late spouse or civil partner's record over that period (see Question 2 above). Call this "Contributions and Credits". Your "Long Yearly Average" is calculated as follows: Long Yearly Average= Contributions and Credits ÷ Total Contribution Years Example: A person is paying social insurance since 7th August 1962 and their spouse/civil partner dies on 12th March 2012. The last full contribution year before the date of death is 2011. They have a total of 1,400 contributions and credits which count towards Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. Total Contribution Years = 50 Contributions and Credits = 1,400 Long Yearly Average= Contributions and Credits ÷ Total Contribution Years= 1400÷50= 28 Example (Self Employment Contributions): A person is paying social insurance since 7th August 1966 and their spouse/civil partner dies on 12th March 2012. The last full contribution year before the date of death is 2011. Their contribution record shows that they had: Ordinary rate contributions recorded up to 1972 and Class S contributions for the 1988/89 year (52 for that year) up to and including the 2000/01 year. Counting from 1966 up to and including 2011 there are a total of 46 tax years. They have a total of 1028 reckonable recorded contributions. Calculating the yearly average = 1028÷46= 22. Based on this record, the person does not qualify for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. However as they started paying class S PRSI on 6 April 1988 and have 52 contributions for the 1988/89 year then the yearly average may be counted from the start of the 1988/89 year. As it is to the persons advantage, the earlier PRSI contributions can be ignored. Counting from 1988/89 up to and including 2011 there are a total of 24 tax years. They have a total of 676 reckonable recorded contributions. Calculating the yearly average = 676÷24= 28. Based on this record, the person does qualify for Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. How much will I get? We first calculate your 'Short Yearly Average'. If this is 39 or greater, you will qualify for the maximum rate. If it is below 39, we calculate your 'Long Yearly Average'; you need a 'Long Yearly Average' of 48 to qualify for the maximum rate but reduced rates are payable if your 'Long Yearly Average' is between 24 and 47, inclusive. Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension rates (2012) What other benefits or allowances can I get? In addition to your pension, you may also qualify for the following payments: - Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant; - Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme; - Increase for a Qualified Child – this means a child normally living with you and aged under 18 or aged up to 22 if they are in full time education and are being supported by you; - Living Alone Increase – if you are aged 66 or over and live alone or mainly alone; - Island Allowance – if you are aged 66 or over and live on certain Irish offshore islands; - Age 80 Allowance – automatically paid once you reach age 80; - Fuel Allowance – a means-tested payment, payable if you live alone or with certain other people; - Household Benefits Package – Electricity or Gas Allowance and Free TV Licence: available to people aged 70 or over resident in the State and to people aged under 70 resident in the State, in certain circumstances. Only one person in a household can qualify for the package at any time. For more information on all of these benefits and allowances, see www.welfare.ie. Can I be employed on a CE scheme and receive my pension? From 16 January 2012, you cannot get a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension in addition to full payment on a Community Employment Scheme. You will be paid by the CE sponsor and your payment will be the equivalent of your personal rate of Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension plus €20 per week. Can I get a training allowance and receive my pension? You cannot get a training allowance at the same time as a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Contributory Pension. When and how do I apply for my pension? You should apply for your Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension as soon as possible after your spouse or civil partner dies. Note: If you do not apply for your pension within 6 months of becoming eligible, you could lose some payment. If you are living in the Republic of Ireland, you should complete the application form WCP1 and send it with supporting documentation to: Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension Department of Social Protection College Road Sligo If you are living in one of the countries listed in Question 27 and you have paid social insurance in any of those countries, you should apply to the Social Security Agency in that country. They will send details of your application as well as the relevant social insurance records to us. For more information, see www.welfare.ie. I am not happy with the decision made by the Department on my application for pension. What can I do next? You can request a review by the Deciding Officer by writing in to us and telling us why you think the decision we made was incorrect. The address you should write to is: Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension Department of Social Protection College Road Sligo If, following the review, you are still unhappy with the decision, you can appeal the decision by contacting the Appeals Office within 21 days of the date of review at: Social Welfare Appeals Office D'Olier House D'Olier Street Dublin 2 How will I get my payment? Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension is paid weekly: - At your local Post Office by Social Services Card/Public Services Card or - By direct payment into your current, deposit or savings account in a financial institution. You must notify the Department immediately of any change in your circumstances. Does the Department of Social Protection deduct Income Tax from my Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension? The Department does not deduct Income Tax from your pension. However, your pension, including Increase for Qualified Child, Living Alone Increase, Island Allowance and Age 80 Allowance, is regarded as income for Income Tax purposes and your liability for tax will depend on your overall circumstances. You should contact your local tax office if you have any questions about your tax liability. I am under 66 years and retiring from work, how can I protect my social insurance record for pension purposes? Voluntary contributions allow you to remain insured once you leave the compulsory PRSI system. You can choose to pay voluntary contributions if you meet certain conditions and you - are no longer covered by the compulsory PRSI scheme in Ireland - are no longer covered by the compulsory or voluntary PRSI scheme in another EU country - are under age 66 - satisfy qualifying conditions How to become a Voluntary Contributor To become a Voluntary Contributor you must - have paid at least 260 week PRSI in employment or self-employment - apply within 12 months of the contribution year when you last paid compulsory insurance or when you were awarded a credited contribution - agree to pay voluntary contributions from the start of the contribution week that follows the week in which you leave compulsory insurance Credited Contributions In order to qualify for credits, a person must first have entered insurable employment – they must have paid at least one PRSI contribution as an employed contributor. Self-employment contributions do not count for credit purposes. Credits may be awarded in circumstances such as periods of unemployment, illness, early retirement, time spent on Carer's Leave, for example. The purpose of credits is to help protect the social insurance entitlements of insured people during periods when they may not be in a position to pay contributions. You may qualify for credits even if you do not qualify for a Social Welfare payment. These credits will keep your social insurance record up-to-date and will protect your entitlement, and that of your spouse, to Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. For more information on Credits see information leaflet SW12. If I go to live abroad, will I continue to receive my Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's contributory pension? If you live or intend to live outside the State, you can get your pension by direct payment to your account in a financial institution either in Ireland or the country you choose to live in. If you intend going abroad to live please send in details of your new address in writing, together with any change you want made to your payment arrangements to: Maintenance Section Department of Social Protection College Road Sligo If you move abroad, remember that you must notify this Department immediately of any change in your circumstances. I am a widow, widower or surviving civil partner but I do not qualify for this pension. What can I do? If you have a qualified child, you should apply for One Parent Family Payment (Widow's) at your local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Local Office. If you are aged under 66 and do not have a qualified child, you should apply for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Non-Contributory Pension to the address below. If you are aged 66 or over, you should apply for a State Pension (Non-Contributory) to the address below. These are means-tested payments. You should apply within three months of your becoming a widow, widower or surviving civil partner. For more information on this pension, see www.welfare.ie or contact: State Pension (Non-Contributory) Department of Social Protection College Road Sligo Where can I get more information? For more information on Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension: What countries are covered by either EC Regulations or a Bilateral Agreement with Ireland? What are the different PRSI Classes? Note: This table shows a very general description of the PRSI Classes and who pays them. For more information, see www.welfare.ie.
1.1 1.2 1.3 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.1
Is seirbhís saor in aisce í an tSeirbhís Buiséad Teaghlaigh de chuid An Post, le haghaidh custaiméirí a fhaigheann Pinsean Neamh-ranníocach Baintrí, Baintrí Fir nó Páirtnéara Shibhialta Mharthanaigh. Tá rogha i gceist chun cabhrú leat billí teaghlaigh a íoc gan an iomarca dua. Cuireann sé áiseanna dochair dhírigh ar fáil chun gur féidir íocaíocht sheasta a dhéanamh le ceann ar bith díobh seo a leanas: - cíos/morgáistí a íoc leis na húdaráis áitiúla, - costais fuinnimh a íoc le BSL agus Bord Gáis, agus - táillí gutháin a íoc le hEircom. Tá cead agat an tSeirbhís Buiséad Teaghlaigh a úsáid san aon chás go bhfaigheann tú do Phinsean Neamh-ranníocach Baintrí, Baintrí Fir nó Páirtnéara Shibhialta Mharthanaigh ag d'oifig phoist áitiúil le cárta seirbhísí sóisialacha. Déan teagmháil le An Post trí Shaorglao ar 1800 70 71 72 chun tuilleadh eolais a fháil.