Return to work while keeping part of your Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension
Partial Capacity Benefit Ireland 2026
If you are on Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension and want to try returning to work, Partial Capacity Benefit lets you keep 50–100% of your payment while earning any amount from employment.
Partial Capacity Benefit 2026 — At a glance
- Moderate restriction
- 50% of payment — €116/week
- Profound restriction
- 100% of payment — €232/week
- Earnings limit
- None — earn any amount while on PCB
- Apply before returning to work
- Form PCB 1 — PCB must be approved first
Payment rates by restriction level (2026)
| Restriction level | % of payment kept | Weekly amount (Illness Benefit base) |
|---|---|---|
| Moderate | 50% | €116.00 |
| Severe | 75% | €174.00 |
| Profound | 100% | €232.00 |
No earnings limit — you can work and earn any amount on top of your PCB payment.
Who can apply
- You are currently receiving Illness Benefit for at least 6 months, OR you receive Invalidity Pension
- You want to return to work (employment or self-employment)
- You have a medical condition that restricts your capacity for work
You apply before returning to work — PCB must be approved first.
How to apply
Download and complete form PCB 1 from gov.ie and send it to the Partial Capacity Benefit section of the DSP with your GP or specialist medical reports.
A DSP medical assessor will review your file and assign a restriction level. You will be notified of the decision before starting work.
Frequently asked questions
What is Partial Capacity Benefit?
A payment that lets you return to work while keeping 50%, 75% or 100% of your Illness Benefit or Invalidity Pension, depending on your assessed restriction level.
How much will I receive?
Moderate: 50% (€116/week from IB base). Severe: 75% (€174). Profound: 100% (€232). No earnings limit.
Is there an earnings limit?
No. You can earn any amount from work while on PCB.
How is my restriction assessed?
A DSP medical assessor reviews your medical evidence and assigns a level: Moderate, Severe or Profound.
How long does it last?
As long as your underlying IB or Invalidity Pension entitlement continues. IB has a 2-year maximum; Invalidity Pension recipients can receive PCB indefinitely.
- There is no earnings limit — you can work and earn any amount while receiving PCB. The payment does not reduce as your income rises.
- You must apply and be approved before returning to work — starting work first and applying afterwards is not allowed.
- You must be on Illness Benefit for at least 6 months before applying (or on Invalidity Pension at any time).
- PCB is not a reward for staying ill — it is specifically designed to let you test your capacity to work without risking your welfare payment.
- If your condition improves, your restriction level can be reassessed and your payment rate may change.
This page was reviewed against official Irish government guidance and updated to reflect 2026 Partial Capacity Benefit rates and eligibility rules.