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 and or National Insurance contributions).

To qualify for Invalidity Pension, you must meet both the medical criteria and the social insurance contributions criteria. You may, in some cases, be able to claim additional amounts 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.

Additionally, if you have been a frontier worker living in Northern Ireland and working in Ireland, you may be entitled to claim Invalidity Pension, provided you meet both the medical and social insurance contributions criteria.  Usually the worker will have applied for, and exhausted Irish Illness Benefit first and then move onto Invalidity Pension which is a long-term payment.  See the following example:  Sickness Benefits – Competent State

Contact

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

Telephone 00353 43 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 checked: May 2026

Links last checked: July 2026

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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