Invalidity Pension is a weekly payment to people who cannot work because of a long-term illness or disability and who have paid enough social insurance contributions (PRSI).

To qualify for Invalidity Pension, you must meet both the medical criteria and the social insurance contributions criteria which you can see here. You may, in some cases, be able to claim additional amounts of this benefit for dependent adults and/or children.

You can get the Free Travel scheme if you receive Invalidity Pension and you may also be entitled to extra social welfare benefits such as the Household Benefits Package.

Cross-Border Issues

Invalidity pension is an exportable benefit, meaning that if you decide to move from Ireland, you may continue to receive Invalidity Pension payments in another country. You should notify the Department for Social Protection that you intend to move from Ireland.

Additionally, if you have been a frontier worker living in Northern Ireland and working in Southern Ireland, you may be entitled to claim Invalidity Pension, provided you meet both the medical and social insurance contributions criteria.  The Convention on Social Security between Ireland and the United Kingdom ensures that citizens of either jurisdiction who work (or have worked) in the other jurisdiction can benefit from social insurance or national insurance contributions.

Contact

Invalidity Pension Claims Section, Social Welfare Services, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford, N39 E4E0

Telephone       043 3340000 or 0818927770 or Email invgenenq@wefare.ie  

You can make an online application for Invalidity Pension here

See also:

• Invalidity Pension (citizensinformation.ie)
• Invalidity Pension (www.gov.ie)
• Leaving Ireland and your social security entitlements (citizensinformation.ie)
• Border People – Sickness Benefits, Competent State issues

Page last updated 19 December 2023

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

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