Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 240

Definition

Section 240 defines the term "benefit" as used throughout Part 9, which deals with general provisions relating to social insurance, social assistance, and insurability.

• The definition of "benefit" in Part 9 is broad, covering social insurance benefits (section 39(1)), social assistance payments (section 139(1)), child benefit, and EU payments under Part 8.
• It also includes the cost of medical care under section 86, carer's support grant, working family payment, continued payment for qualified children, and back to work family dividend.
• The definition applies throughout Part 9 unless a specific section states otherwise, meaning individual provisions can narrow or override this general meaning.
• The section has been amended several times between 2006 and 2017 to add new payment types such as the back to work family dividend and working family payment.