Social welfare supports
- Megan Campbell, Medical Social Worker
- 6 minute read
- Last updated: October 2023
Stroke and recovery from stroke can be different for each person. For example, if you were working you may need time off work or not be in a position to return to work. There are a range of social welfare payments that can be accessed depending on your circumstances.
Social welfare supports
The following supports are available to help people after a stroke or TIA (transient ischaemic attack).
Illness benefit is a weekly payment that you can apply for if you are unwell and unable to work. This payment is for those under 66. It is a contributory payment, meaning that you must satisfy the necessary PRSI contribution requirements to receive it. You must apply for the illness benefit payment within six weeks of becoming ill.
To apply, you must complete an illness benefit application form (IB1 form) online through MyWelfare or get this form from your doctor and freepost it to social welfare services. A doctor must also complete a medical certificate advising that you are unwell and not fit for work. When both the IB1 form and the medical certificate are submitted, the payment can be processed. Illness benefit is not a permanent payment and is paid for a maximum of two years, depending on your PRSI contributions.
If you have an injury or disability that prevents you from working for at least one year, you can apply for disability allowance. This payment is for those under 66. This is a means-tested payment, so your income will be assessed as part of the application. A doctor must complete a medical report to be included with the application.
Invalidity pension is a weekly payment for those who can’t work due to long-term illness or disability. This is a contributory payment, meaning that you must have made a certain number of PRSI contributions. The payment is for those under 66. If you are in receipt of invalidity pension, at age 66 you will automatically be transferred to a full-rate state contributory pension.
Blind pension is a weekly payment for those who are blind or have a visual impairment. This is a means-tested payment for those under 66. You must satisfy the habitual residence condition to avail of it.
You must provide an eye test from an ophthalmic surgeon along with your application.
Click the link below more details on the habitual residence condition.
Citizens Information | The habitual residence condition
What if I do not qualify for social welfare?
Community welfare schemes
Community welfare schemes are in place for people who have low or no income and those who may not qualify for other social welfare payments. The schemes also support people experiencing hardship and people in emergency situations.
Community welfare officers decide on all applications made to the community welfare service. They also approve supplementary welfare allowance applications. Community welfare officers are employed by the Department of Social Protection.
These payments are means tested and can be weekly or once-off emergency payments. A Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA1) application needs to be completed. This can be brought in person to a community welfare officer or posted.
Community Welfare officers are located at your local Intreo office.
Supports for family and carers
Carer’s allowance
Carer’s allowance is a weekly payment paid to those who are caring for someone who may need support due to their disability, illness or age.
This is a means-tested payment meaning that your income will be assessed.
In order to receive the carer’s allowance, the carer must be providing full-time care to the person needing support.
Full-time care must be at least 35 hours per week over five to seven days.
Based on the information provided in your application, the Department of Social Protection will decide if full-time care is being provided. A medical report will need to be completed by a doctor to support these applications.
Website: www.gov.ie/en/service/2432ba-carers-allowance/
Email: Carersallowance@welfare.ie
Phone: 0818 927 770
Get help with your application
You can get help from your care partner with applications. You can also request that your care partner collects your payment for certain social welfare payments.
Megan Campbell | Medical Social Worker |
Seek advice to what is available
Just as each person’s stroke affects them differently, each person’s financial situation is different. If you are unsure what you may be entitled to, just ask for advice. You can ask your medical social worker or Citizens Information.
Megan Campbell | Medical Social Worker |
Other information
Getting help
How am I feeling?
- If am concerned about finances and not being able to work after a stroke or TIA or unsure about what support is available to me.
What to do?
- Consider contacting Citizens information on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00)
- Consider visiting or contacting your local Intreo Office
- Consider contacting Money Advice Budgeting Service (MABS) on 0818 07 2000 (Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 20:00)
Frequently asked questions
The majority of social welfare payments can be collected within 90 days from the post office, with the exception of a few payments (including jobseekers payment) which need to be collected within 20 days. Payments that are paid into a bank account are not affected.
You should be eligible to apply for illness benefit. This is based on your PRSI contributions and is paid weekly until you are fit to return to work. You should also contact your employer and discuss the sickness-related payment policies they may have. All financial situations differ, so it is best to talk with your medical social worker or Citizens Information about your situation.
You could apply for disability allowance, which is a long-term payment. Disability allowance can take longer to process. In the meantime, you can also apply for illness benefit, so you can get a payment while you are waiting. All financial situations differ, so it is best to talk with your medical social worker or Citizens Information about your situation.
