Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 150

Rate of allowance (including increases for qualified adult and qualified children)

Section 150 establishes how the weekly rate of pre-retirement allowance is calculated, including increases for dependants and reductions based on the claimant's means.

• The basic weekly rate (the "scheduled rate") is set out in Schedule 4 and can be increased for one qualified adult and for each qualified child normally residing with the claimant.
• A euro-for-euro means test applies: for every €1 of weekly means above €1, the allowance is reduced by €1.
• No allowance is payable if the claimant's weekly means equal or exceed the scheduled rate.
• Where a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is not themselves a qualified adult, any increase for a qualified child is paid at half the normal rate.