Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 161E

Disqualifications

Section 161E sets out the rules disqualifying certain pension recipients from receiving blind pension.

• Recipients of bereaved partner's (contributory) pension, or those receiving a qualified adult increase on State pension (contributory), are generally disqualified from receiving blind pension.
• Exception: blind pension may be paid if its rate exceeds the rate of the other pension or increase the person is receiving.
• Where blind pension is paid under this exception, entitlement to the other pension continues but payment is suspended during that period.
• A blind person receiving pension under this Chapter cannot be treated as a qualified child for social welfare purposes.