Disability Allowance Form
Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability. You can get DA from 16 years of age. You can get Disability Allowance even if you are in school.
If you qualify for DA, you may also get extra social welfare benefits with your payment and other supplementary welfare payments.
How to qualify for Disability Allowance
To qualify for Disability Allowance, you must:
- Have an injury, disease, or physical or mental disability that has continued for at least one year or is expected to continue for at least one year
- Be substantially restricted from doing work because of your disability that would be suitable for a person of your age, experience, and qualifications
- Be aged between 16 and 66
- Pass a means test (an assessment of any income you have – see 'How your income is assessed for DA' below)
- Live in Ireland and meet the habitual residence condition.
Medical assessment
Your doctor must complete a report on your medical condition as part of the application form. This report is reviewed by one of the DSP's medical assessors.
The medical report will allow the DSP to determine if you:
- Have an injury, disease, or physical or mental disability that has continued for at least one year or is expected to continue for at least one year, and
- Are substantially restricted from doing work because of your disability, that would be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications.
Can I get Disability Allowance in hospital or residential care?
You can get Disability Allowance if you are in hospital or residential care.
If you are already getting DA and go into hospital or residential care, you will continue to get your payment as long as you continue to meet the qualifying conditions above.
If you were not getting DA before you started living in residential care, you can apply for DA.