I Turn 66 and been told I'll remain in welfare payment

[Iwillyeah]

Hello all, I applied for my state pension contributory 3 months ago and received a msg a couple of months back saying, I would receive my pension when I turn 66 at the end of October, I would recieve approx €270 PW, today I got s letter saying I was entitled to €213 however as my current social welfare payment will increase to a higher rate from your 66th birthday, I will continue to receive my social welfare payment instead of the state pension contributory, Is this normal?, thanks all.

 

[ClubMan]

I would receive my pension when I turn 66 at the end of October, I would recieve approx €270 PW

I take it that you don't qualify for the full rate because you don't have sufficient reckonable PRSI contributions/credits?

today I got s letter saying I was entitled to €213 however as my current social welfare payment will increase to a higher rate from your 66th birthday,

What SW payment are you currently on that's paying €213 p.w.?

Is this normal?

It's certainly normal that you don't get the OACP until you turn 66.

 

[Iwillyeah]

I take it that you don't qualify for the full rate because you don't have sufficient reckonable PRSI contributions/credits?
Correct, I have 30 years of PRSI payments ( Combined reckonable payments totalling 1672)

 

[ClubMan]

So you're getting some other SW payment (you haven't clarified what it is) and will go onto a higher rate on that than you would get on the OACP so they're keeping you on that so you don't lose out. That's standard practice as far as know. I'm sure that @Robovac rider can probably clarify/confirm.

 

[Robovac rider]

I will continue to receive my social welfare payment instead of the state pension contributory, Is this normal?

Yes that is normal. You are entitled to get the highest social welfare payment that you qualify for.

You might also qualify for the household benefits package at age 66. You should apply for this.