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Know Your Rights has been compiled by Kerry Citizens Information Service which provides a free and confidential service to the public…
Did you know that there is an extra payment for people on social welfare payments who are living alone? It is a payment called the Living Alone Increase which is paid to people on certain social welfare payments who live alone.
How does one qualify for a Living Alone Increase?
If you are 66 years or over and live alone, you will qualify if you are getting one of the following payments
• State Pension (Contributory)
• State Pension (Non-Contributory)
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
• Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-Contributory) Pension
• Widow’s/Widower’s Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• Deserted Wife’s Benefit
• You will also qualify if you are under 66, live alone and are getting Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Incapacity Supplement or Blind Pension.
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I live in an extension of my daughter’s home. Do I qualify for the living alone increase?
To get the increase in your payment you must live completely alone. 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/dining and sleeping accommodation.
People who live in sheltered accommodation may qualify if they are regarded as living independently within the institution. The Department of Social Protection provides a list of hostels/homes where Living Alone Increase is payable. You will not qualify if you share dormitory accommodation with others, or have round-the clock supervision or nursing care.
Can you get the living alone increase if you live in a nursing home?
People who live in nursing homes will not qualify as they cannot be regarded as living completely or mainly alone.
If I am getting the living alone increase, can anyone stay overnight with me?
You can qualify as living alone, if you are aged or infirm and have a friend or relative to stay for security reasons at night-time only. The friend or relative must not contribute to the household financially.
You can also qualify if you live alone during the day but stay with relatives or friends at night or if you live alone during the week but have a relative to stay at the weekend (the living alone condition is satisfied as long as the relative has a permanent home address elsewhere).
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Are there any other exceptional situations where I may qualify for the living alone increase?
You would be eligible to claim the living alone increase if you:
• Allow a person(s) who is not an employee or not an immediate family member to stay in your home rent free and you would be living alone, but for that person.
• Are renting for at least 28 consecutive days to a person(s) who is not an employee or not an immediate family member and you would be living alone, but for that person.
• Are renting for at least 28 consecutive days to a person(s) from Ukraine covered by the Temporary Protection Directive and you would be living alone, but for that person.
• Live alone but occasionally take in paying guests (for example, during a local festival). However, if you run a bed and breakfast business (even for part of the year) you will not qualify.
How do I qualify for the Telephone Support Allowance?
If you’re getting the Living Alone Increase together with the Fuel Allowance, you will automatically qualify for a Telephone Support Allowance of €2.50 per week.
It is paid separately from your primary payment and is intended to help with the cost of communications and/or a home alert system. As this allowance is paid automatically to people who qualify, you do not need to apply for it.
What is the current ate of Living Alone Increase?
Currently (2023) the living alone increase is €22 per week
How do I apply for a Living Alone Increase?
You should complete the Living Alone Increase application form, which you can get form your local Social Welfare office or Citizens Information Centre. You should send the completed form to the section of the Department of Social Protection that pays your main pension or benefit.
You can contact your local Citizens Information Centre for help with completing the form
• For anyone needing information, advice or have an advocacy issue, you can call a member of the local Citizens Information team in Kerry on 0818 07 7860, they will be happy to assist and make an appointment if necessary.
The offices are staffed from Monday to Friday from 10am to 4pm. Alternatively you can email on tralee@citinfo.ie or log on to www.citizensinformation.ie for further information.
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