Information
If you were wholly or mainly dependent on your child for financial support,
you may be entitled to a Dependent Parent's Pension if they die a work-related
death or while receiving Disablement Pension. This pension may be significantly
reduced if your deceased child was married or in a civil partnership.
You may also be entitled to other benefits or to a Bereavement Grant. You
may be entitled to a Fuel Allowance. If you are aged 66 or over you are
entitled to Free Travel. You may also qualify for Household Benefits Package or
a medical card (from your local HSE).
Rules
A parent or parents of a deceased person may be entitled to a Dependent
Parent's Pension if they were being wholly or mainly maintained by the deceased
and the deceased died as a result of:
- An accident at work
- An occupational disease
- Or was getting Disablement Pension assessed at 50% or more
at the time of his/her death.
Rates
From January 2012, the payments are as follows:
If the deceased was neither married nor in a civil partnership:
First parent (if under 66 years of age): €218.50
First parent (if over 66 years of age): €234.70
First parent (if 80 years of age or over): €244.70
The amount of pension paid depends on whether the deceased was single or
married/in a civil partnership.
How to apply
A claim for any of the payments under the Death Benefit scheme should be
made within 3 months of the date of death, otherwise you may lose some benefit.
Complete claim form OB 61(pdf) which
is available from your local social welfare office. Send your completed claim
form to the Disablement Benefit Section at the address below.
Where to apply
Department of Social Protection
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road
Longford
Ireland
Tel:(043) 334 0000
Locall:1890 927 770
Homepage: http://www.welfare.ie