Need to know
There are so many top up social welfare schemes that people may not realise that they meet the criteria for and could be missing out on over a thousand euro each year
Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary(Image: Collins)
There are a number of top-up payments available to social welfare recipients that they may be unaware that they can claim. One such scheme is the Living Alone Increase – here’s everything you need to know about it.
- The Living Alone Increase is an extra payment for people who are living alone and getting a social welfare payment.
- It is paid through €22 a week payment which adds up to an additional income of €1,144 per year.
- If you are aged 66 or over and live alone, you will qualify for the Living Alone Increase if you are getting one of the following payments: State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Non-Contributory), Bereaved Partner’s (Contributory) Pension. Bereaved Partner’s Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme,Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme or Deserted Wife’s Benefit.
- If you are under 66 and live alone, you will qualify for the Living Alone Increase if you’re getting one of the following payments: Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement, Blind Pension.
- You must live alone to get the increase in your payment. However, there are some exceptions.
- If you are living in an extension of a family member’s home – for example, in a granny flat – you can qualify for the increase if you can show that you have facilities to cook and eat alone. You must also have your own living or dining room and sleeping accommodation.
- If you live in sheltered accommodation, you may qualify for the Living Alone Increase if you are regarded as living independently within the institution. You can find a list of hostels and homes where the Living Alone Increase is payable on Gov.ie.
- You will not qualify if you share dormitory accommodation with others or have round-the clock supervision or nursing care. People who live in nursing homes will not qualify as they cannot be regarded as living completely or mainly alone.
- You will qualify for the Telephone Support Allowance if you are getting both the Living Alone Increase and the Fuel Allowance, with certain social welfare payments.
- To apply, fill in a Living Alone Increase application form. Send the completed form to the section of the Department of Social Protection that pays your main pension or benefit.
For the full details of the payment click here.
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