Women to benefit from pension rises

Women are set to benefit most from increases in welfare benefits due to take effect in the first week of January, Minister for Social and Family Affairs Martin Cullen said today.

The measures include increases in both pensions and Qualified Adult allowances, which are paid to support the spouse of a pensioner who is not currently entitle to a State pension.

Those aged 66 and over who are entitled to the Qualified Adult allowance will get an increase of up to €27 per week.

Qualified Adults are not solely female, but as many women previously worked in the home and did not pay social insurance, the majority of those who qualify for this payment are female.

A change in the rules also means that for all new claims, this allowance is paid directly to the spouse or partner instead of to the pension holder.

According to the Department of Social and Family Affairs, more than 42,000 Qualified Adults will benefit from the increase, including Qualified Adults (aged 66 years and over) of State Pension (Contributory), State Pension (Transition) and Invalidity Pension recipients.

Mr Cullen, said it was a "major step" in bringing pensioner Qualified Adults to the level of the State (Non-Contributory) Pension.

Meanwhile, the State Pension (Contributory) and State Pension (Transition) are set to increase by €14 to €223.30 per week, non-contributory pensioners will get an increase of €12, bringing their payments to €212 per week.

Invalidity Pensions, Widow's and Widower's (Contributory) Pension for those aged 66 years and over are to rise by €14 per week.

As part of the measures announced in Budget 2008, carers will get an extra €14 per week, Qualified Child Increase will rise €2 per week and Family Income Supplement (FIS) weekly income thresholds are to rise by €10 per week per child.

Other personal rates of payment, such as he One Parent Family Payment, Jobseeker's Benefit, Jobseeker's Allowance, Widow's and Widower's Non-Contributory Pension, Blind Pension, Farm Assist, Illness Benefit and Disability Allowance, will go up by €12 per week.