Supports For Older People

The State Pension (Contributory)
The State Pension (Contributory) is payable to people in Ireland from the age of 66 who have enough social insurance contributions. It is not means tested and you may have income from any other source while receiving it. It is taxable.
Click here for more information.

The State Pension (Non-Contributory)
The State Pension (Non-Contributory) is a means-tested payment available to people on low incomes in Ireland who are aged 66 and over and do not qualify for a contributory pension.
Click here for more information.

The State Pension (Transition)
The State Pension (Transition), formerly called the Retirement Pension, is a state payment in Ireland payable to people aged 65 who have retired from work and who have enough social insurance contributions.
Click here for more information.

Free Travel
Everyone aged 66 and over living permanently in Ireland is entitled to travel free of charge on public transport. Others on certain social welfare payments also share this entitlement. There is also a Senior SmartPass which allows older people from the Republic of Ireland to travel for free on public transport in Northern Ireland.
Click here for more information.

Medical Cards
Most people in Ireland that are aged over 70 years are entitled to a medical card, subject to satisfying the income guidelines.
Click here for more information.

Household Benefits Package
If you satisfy a number of conditions, you may qualify for the Household Benefits Package. The Household Benefits Package is made up of:
·    The Electricity Allowance
·    The Natural Gas Allowance
·    The Electricity (Group Account) Allowance
·    The Bottled Gas Refill Allowance
·    The Telephone Allowance
·    The Free Television Licence.
If you have an electricity or natural gas supply, you must choose either the Electricity Allowance or the Natural Gas Allowance.
Click here for more information.

Living Alone Increase
The Living Alone Increase is a supplementary payment for people in Ireland on social welfare pensions who are living alone.
Click here for more information.

The Fuel Allowance and Smokeless Fuel Allowance
These allowances are available to low-income households.
Click here for more information on the fuel allowance and here for more information on the smokeless fuel allowance.