The Invalidity pension is provided to persons who are below retirement age and who are certified as being incapable of performing full-time or part-time employment due to health reasons.
To be eligible for an Invalidity pension a person must meet the following conditions:
(a) Is under pension age.
(b) Is:
(i) In continuous employment
(ii) Is unemployed and is registering for work with Jobplus for a period of not less than 1 year
(iii) Is in receipt of the means tested Social Assistance benefit.
(c) Has been submitting Sick Leave medical certificates on a weekly basis for at least six months.
(d) Has paid at least 250 Class 1 or Class 2 contributions with a contribution average of at least 19.5.
If a person meets these criteria he / she is then assessed by a Medical Board. The Invalidity Pension is issued for a minimum period of one year to a maximum of 3 years and is issued upon termination of employment. The person is informed about the Medical Board decision in writing and will be asked to provided an ETC (Employment Training Centre) sheet showing all jobs closed. On expiry of the three years the Invalidity pension can be extended by a Medical Board.
You should also note that when a person’s degree of disability is assessed at 90% or more by the medical panel, that person is entitled to full rate of Invalidity pension without a contributory test.
The Invalidity Pension Income is relative to the contributions paid. Furthermore, during the period when a person is in receipt of an Invalidity pension his / her contributory history is credited for the purpose of his / her pension income calculation.
When an invalidity pension claim is rejected.
Whenever an invalidity pension claim is rejected, a person can ask for a re-consideration. A letter of appeal need to be submitted and case is reconsidered by Umpire/MDB. In case of a rejection in all three cases, same claimant may also consider to re-apply in the future.
Invalidity Pension and Budget 2020 Measure, including 2021 Rate
The rate of Invalidity Pension for persons with a full contribution average who are declared by the medical board as severely invalid will benefit from a weekly NMIP rate of €163.15 (both if married or single) for year 2021. Such measure came into effect in January 2020. Persons with a lower contribution average will benefit from a pro-rata rate accordingly.