Entitlements for people with disabilities

Normally the day-to-day expenses of having a disability are higher than they are for people without disabilities. You can apply for a disability allowance (which you keep while studying) or other financial supports to help with the increased costs.

Available supports

Disability Allowance

• This is a means-tested payment that you can get from age 16
• You can qualify if you have a long-term disability that affects your ability to work
• You may also get other social welfare benefits on top of this payment

Invalidity Pension

• This is for people who have made social insurance payments over a certain amount of time and are likely to be unable to work long-term due to illness or disability

Blind Person’s Pension

• This is a means-tested payment for people over the age of 18 who are registered as legally blind or as having low vision
• In order to get this pension, you must satisfy the means test and residency requirements (i.e. you must permanently live in Ireland)
• You will also need to be assessed by an ophthalmic surgeon in order to qualify for this payment

Blind Welfare Allowance

• This is a supplementary payment to people over the age of 16 who are blind or have low vision and are already getting another welfare payment
• The purpose of this payment is to provide extra financial support.

Disablement Benefit

• This is a payment for people who are physically or mentally ill as a result of an accident at work or one on the way to work, or as a result of a disease they contracted because of the type of work they did
• This may be paid as one lump sum or in the form of regular payments, depending on your injury or the type of ill health you have
• You may also be able to get Incapacity Supplement or Constant Attendance Allowance if you are on Disability Benefit

Occupational Injuries Scheme

• This is a group of payments you can apply for if you’re ill or disabled as a result of a work accident or an industrial illness
• These payments include Injury Benefit, Disablement Benefit, Incapacity Supplement, Constant Attendance Allowance and Medical Care Scheme

Back to Education Allowance

• If you are receiving a disability payment, the Back to Education Allowance allows you to attend a second or third level course while still receiving a social welfare payment
• You may also work part-time if you have this allowance

Medical schemes

• There are a variety of medical entitlements for all citizens in Ireland
• These include Medical Cards, GP Visit Cards, the Long Term Illness Scheme, the Drugs Payment Scheme and tax back on medical expenses
• Click here for further information on these entitlements

Employment schemes

• ​There are a variety of schemes that will help you get back to work or to adapt your work environment to meet your needs
• Click here to read further information on these schemes.

Other payments

• Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance can be applied for if you’re a full time carer of someone with a disability.
• Household Benefits Package
• Heating Supplement and the National Fuel Scheme

Contact the Equality Authority and Enable Ireland for more information. In Northern Ireland contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

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