Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 159

Rate of pension for persons in receipt of farm assist

Section 159 protects the weekly payment rate for individuals who transition from certain social welfare payments to the State Pension (non-contributory), ensuring they receive whichever amount is higher.

• Applies to recipients of Blind Pension, Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension, One-Parent Family Payment, certain relevant transitional payments, Disability Allowance, or Farm Assist who become entitled to State Pension (non-contributory)
• The weekly pension rate payable is the greater of the previous payment or the standard State Pension (non-contributory) rate
• This comparison includes any increases for qualified adults or children that applied to the previous payment
• The protection ensures no recipient suffers a reduction in income when moving to State Pension (non-contributory)