Illness benefit being cut

[dariuscork]

Any help would be appreciated here, I am being cut off shortly and my choice I believe is to apply for disability benefit, how do I calculate as I know it's mean tested, for e.g. wife doesn't work presently but will in the future, I have approx 60,000 in savings and a pension of €1,200 per month. Any help would be great, thanks.

 

[gipimann]

The first thing to do is see whether you're eligible for Invalidity Pension, which is based on PRSI contributions and would not be subject to the same means test. Illness Benefit section may be able to advise you on your eligibility (if they haven't done so already).

More information on Invalidity Pension:
http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Invalidity-Pension.aspx

If you aren't eligible, then you'll be applying for Disability Allowance.

Some brief information on the means test can be found on this page, with links to more detailed information.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/da.aspx

Your pension will be assessed in the same way as income (gross less PRSI, etc) and the first €50,000 of your savings will be disregarded so only the amount above that will be assessed as means.

When your wife starts work, her income will then be assessed in addition to the above.

 

[dariuscork]

Thank you will do.