Living Abroad - Recently Widowed

tiredblondie

Hi

For someone living abroad who was recently widowed, what state benefits are available to be claimed?

Everything was done by the book and state pension paid to both.

gipi

The widow(er) can apply for the Widow's contributory pension or can stay on their state pension, whichever is more advantageous. The maximum rate of payment is the same for both

Only one of the pensions can be paid, not both.

tiredblondie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119385962#Comment_119385962

Thanks for the reply - they both work out at the same amount so no point changing it.

Obviously they will receive the husbands pension for 6 weeks but i was just wondering was there any other allowances they are entitled too?

I presume the fuel allowance and things like that, you need to be living in the state to claim...

ari101

If the person is now living alone, they should look into applying for the living alone allowance. It's only 22/week, but might be payable regardless of residence. I think fuel allowance has a residence requirement, as does Household Benefits. Not sure what else might apply.

As advised above, only the LAA is payable to people living abroad.

This is the link to download the application form for the LAA.

https://assets.gov.ie/27055/7831fa47a55a478bb4c14ee032baa069.pdf

tiredblondie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119389266#Comment_119389266

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119389304#Comment_119389304

Thank you both so much!