Positive Ageing Week is a wonderful opportunity to highlight the positive aspects of aging and celebrate the amazing contributions of the many older people who make our families, workplaces and communities better places.
Over the last 50 years, Ireland has changed significantly. We have a multi-national, cosmopolitan and globalised society with an increasing population. Our population aged 65 years and over is growing as too is our population aged 85 years and over. And while living longer poses some challenges it also presents huge opportunities to develop a society which supports older people to participate fully and live their best lives. How we respond to these challenges and opportunities will determine our societal well-being and a positive response will allow us all to benefit from the experience and knowledge of older persons, so noted Ciara O’Gorman, Development Manager with South Munster Citizens Information Service.
Positive Aging Week 2024 will continue on the theme of Challenging Ageism, reframing how we think, feel and act towards aging and older persons. A number of events are planned at a local and national level typically in partnership with Age Action (https://positiveageingweek.com/) and these events reflect the diversity of experience and the vitality of older people.
In Citizens Information our staff recognise that not all older people access the benefits and entitlements that may be available to them. On the Citizens Information website there is a checklist ‘Entitlements for Older People’ https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/birth-family-relationships/older-people/checklist-entitlements-for-older-people/ this checklist is to help you to check out all entitlements for older people.
There are a number of welfare payments available to retired and older people living in Ireland.
STATE PENSIONS
The State Pension Contributory Pension is paid to people from the age of 66 who have enough Irish social insurance contributions. It is not means-tested.
The State Pension Non-Contributory Pension is means tested may be paid from age 66 to people in Ireland who do not qualify for a State Pension (Contributory).
Benefit Payment for 65 Year Olds are paid to people aged 65 who have retired from work and who have enough social insurance contributions. It is not means-tested.
FREE TRAVEL IN IRELAND
Everyone aged 66 and over living permanently in Ireland is entitled to travel free of charge on public transport. Others on certain social welfare payments also share this entitlement.
HOUSEHOLD BENEFITS PACKAGE
You may qualify if you are aged 70 or over, or aged between 66 and 70 and receiving the State Pension. Others may also qualify, depending on their circumstances. The Household Benefits Package (HBP) helps towards the costs of your electricity or gas bills. It also includes your television licence. Only one HBP is payable per household.
LIVING ALONE INCREASE
The Living Alone Increase is an extra payment for people aged 66 and over, on social welfare pensions who are living alone.
FUEL ALLOWANCE
Fuel Allowance is a payment to help with the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is a means tested payment under the National Fuel Scheme and is paid to people who are getting a State Pension or are dependent on long-term social welfare.
This year we are seeing an increase in clients calling and wanting to get information on housing grants and supports (in particular keeping warm in winter); working in retirement; public health nursing; home support services; caring for a loved one (and carer’s allowance); making a will and extra social welfare benefits (additional needs payment). Ciara stated that typically Citizens Information is busy during early October as it is the annual governmental budget and people want to understand what the budget means for their personal circumstances. Some clients have specific needs as they encounter barriers to accessing services, including language, literacy and online access issues. So far this year clients with specific needs enquired most about Disability Allowance, Medical Card, applying for Local Authority/Social Housing, Jobseekers Allowance, Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Carer’s Allowance and Additional Needs Payment.
Clients express their concern in how difficult it can be to keep up to date with not just budget changes, but general information as well as advances in technology. The online world is not for everyone for a variety of reasons but your local Citizens Information is available to answer your queries and staff provide a confidential information, advice and advocacy service.
Ciara O’Gorman, North and East’s Cork Citizens Information Manager, said: “Our telephone lines are monitored from 9-5 Monday to Friday in North & East Cork where we have centres in Fermoy, Mallow, Cobh and Youghal. We are also open to drop in callers and take face-to-face appointments in Fermoy, Mallow and Youghal. Full details of opening times for these centres and for CICs nationally are up on our website.”
The Office of the Ombudsman drop-in clinic at Mallow CIC takes place from 10am – 12pm on the second Wednesday of every month.
