Child Benefit, Fuel Allowance and the Household Benefits Package aren't personal payments, so they sit alongside your main payment anyway.
Quick facts
- General rule
- One personal payment
- Half-rate Carer's Allowance
- On top of your own payment
- Blind Pension
- Can combine
- Half-rate Maternity Benefit, 2026
- €149.50
The rule and the exceptions
"It is generally only possible to claim one personal social assistance or social insurance payment at a time in Ireland. However, in some circumstances, you can keep your personal payment and get half of another social welfare payment."
"If you are getting certain social welfare payments and you are providing full-time care and attention to another person, you can keep your main social welfare payment and get half-rate Carer's Allowance as well." "Blind Pension can be paid with certain other social welfare payments provided you meet the conditions for both payments."
Half-rate Maternity, Paternity and Parent's Benefit
If you get "One-Parent Family Payment Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension" and meet the PRSI conditions, you can add half-rate Maternity, Paternity, Adoptive, Parent's or Health and Safety Benefit.
"If you meet these conditions you will get half the personal rate of payment, with no additional increases for children." For example: "Half-rate Maternity Benefit (standard rate €299) €149.50".
Common questions
Can I get two social welfare payments in Ireland?
Generally only one personal payment, but you can add half-rate Carer's Allowance if you care full-time, and some others combine.
Can I get Carer's Allowance and Jobseeker's Allowance together?
If you're providing full-time care, you can keep certain main payments and get half-rate Carer's Allowance as well.
Can a lone parent get Maternity Benefit and One-Parent Family Payment?
Yes, at half rate (€149.50 a week in 2026) if you meet the PRSI conditions.