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Death Benefit Scheme (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme)
From Department of Social Protection
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If a person dies because of an accident at work or from a disease that is related to their work, Death Benefit (under the Occupational Injuries Scheme) may be paid to their surviving spouse, civil partner or dependent child.
Death Benefit may also be paid if, at the time of their death, the person was getting a Disablement Benefit assessed at 50% or more, regardless of the cause of death.
The Death Benefit Scheme includes:
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension
- Orphan's Pension
- Funeral Grant
This is paid to the surviving spouse or civil partner of a person who died as a result of an accident at work, an occupational disease or who was getting a Disablement Pension assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death.
You cannot get the pension if you remarry, enter into a civil partnership or cohabit with another person. The pension is not affected by any income you may have. Increases for qualified children are paid with the pension. The pension is taxable.
A Widow's/Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Death Benefit Scheme cannot be paid at the same time as a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension.
This is paid on behalf of a child if the parent, step-parent or person who supported the child died as a result of an accident at work, an occupational disease or was getting a Disablement Pension assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death.
The orphan's guardian should apply for the payment.
If the deceased person meets the conditions a special Funeral Grant can be paid to the person who pays for the funeral expenses. A Funeral Grant is not taxable.
Payments under the Death Benefit Scheme are paid at higher rates than a standard Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension or a Guardian's payment.
| Type of payment | Rate of payment |
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner (under 66) | €262.50 weekly |
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner (over 66) | €281.70 weekly |
| Widow, widower or surviving civil partner (over 80) | €291.70 weekly |
| Living alone increase aged 66 and over | €22.00 weekly |
| Increase for a Qualified Child under 12 | €46.00 weekly |
| Increase for a Qualified Child aged 12 and over | €54.00 weekly |
| Orphan's Pension | €218.80 weekly |
| Funeral Grant | €850.00 (once-off lump sum) |
A claim for any of the payments under the Death Benefit Scheme should be made within 3 months of the date of death, otherwise you may lose some benefit.
Complete claim form OB 61, which is available below, or from your local Intreo Office or Social Welfare Branch Office.
Send your completed claim form with the relevant supporting documents to the Death Benefit Section at this address:
Death Benefit Section
Address:
Department of Social Protection, Government Buildings, Ballinalee Road, Longford, Co. Longford, N39 E4E0
Phone number:
Application Form: Death Benefits under the Occupational Injuries Scheme (OB61)
Edition: September 2021
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