Widow Pension or State pension?

[Bussybee]

if someone recently turned 65 and is on widows contributory pension, are there more benifits to move to state contributory transition pension? can you apply for medical card and househeld benefits?

 

[gipimann]

Assuming that the person qualifies for the maximum rate of payment, the Widows (contributory) and the State (Contributory) are the same for persons aged 66 or over (currently 230.30pw).

If the woman qualified for Widow's Contributory Pension based on her late husband's PRSI record rather than her own, she may not qualify for the State Pension as it is based on her own PRSI record.

She can apply for the Household Benefits package at age 66 while remaining on the Widow's Pension.

She can apply for a medical card at any time. It is means-tested up to age 70.

 

[Black Sheep]

She will automatically roll on to State Pension at age 66 with the same benefits as before. She can apply for the living alone allowance (if she lives alone).
If she has an entitlement to transition pension (based on her own PRSI record) at age 65 she should apply as it would be paid at a higher rate 230.30

And unfortunately the medical card is still means tested for the over 70's though the test is less stringent