Widows and widowers can qualify for one of a number of different schemes depending on their particular circumstances. The contributory widow's-widower's pension is available to those who satisfy the necessary PRSI contribution conditions, either on their own record or that of the deceased spouse. Those qualifying for this benefit are not subject to any means test.
Those without the necessary PRSI contributions can, if they have qualifying children, receive the one-parent family payment. This is a means tested payment but it does feature a reasonable earnings disregard which is designed to assist with the extra costs those with children face in trying to access training or employment. Up to €146.50 of earnings per week is completely disregarded, while earnings in excess of that and up to €293 per week are assessed at 50%. The upper threshold will increase to €375 from June 2006.
Widows or widowers without qualifying children can apply for the widow's-widower's non-contributory pension. There is no specific earnings disregard associated with this payment but a standard allowance of €7.60 per week is applied to all income. In addition, up to €20,000 in capital is disregarded when means are being assessed.
Increases in the rates of child benefit are also of benefit to widows and widowers with children. Since 1997, the monthly rates of child benefit have been increased significantly. The current rates of child benefit are €150.00 per month for each of the first and second children and €185.00 per month for the third and subsequent children.
Widows and widowers are also entitled to the fuel allowance, back to school clothing and footwear allowance, and other secondary benefits, on the same basis as other social welfare recipients.
The adequacy of payments for widowed people, and for welfare recipients in general, is kept under review and, where appropriate, increases are granted in annual budgets. In budget 2006, widowed people received increases of between €14 and €17 per week or between 9.5% and 11%. This is well ahead of the rate of inflation.
It would be difficult to justify additional supports for widows and widowers, in certain circumstances, without also considering the position of other social welfare recipients who may have similar income support needs.