How does checking the possibility of receiving more than one benefit work?

Quite a few people simultaneously meet the eligibility conditions for more than one benefit from the National Insurance – for example a general disability benefit alongside an old-age benefit, a dependents’ benefit, a survivors’ benefit or special grants. The National Insurance system is complex, and it is often difficult to understand whether it is possible to receive two benefits in parallel, only one benefit, or a full benefit plus a partial benefit. The calculator above is designed to illustrate the rules and provide an initial picture before making decisions.

1. The basic rule – usually one benefit

The starting point in the National Insurance Law is that in most cases two full monthly benefits are not paid from the same source. In many situations, someone who is entitled to more than one benefit will have to choose between them, and in practice only one benefit will be paid – usually the higher one, or the benefit that the law determines will be paid in cases of overlap. For example, a person entitled to a survivors’ benefit who is also entitled to another benefit under the National Insurance Law (such as a general disability benefit, a work disability benefit or a dependents’ benefit) will usually be required to choose one of the benefits. At the same time, there are benefits – such as a child allowance – which in certain cases are paid in addition to other benefits and are not considered an “additional benefit” for the purpose of double benefits.

2. The exceptions where benefits can be combined

Alongside the basic rule, the law sets out several exceptions in which it is possible to receive more than one benefit in parallel, in full or in part. The calculator is based on those exceptions and, among other things, checks situations such as:

• Dependents’ benefit and old-age benefit: Those who are entitled to both a dependents’ benefit and an old-age benefit can receive one benefit at the full rate and half of the second benefit, according to the combination that is more beneficial for them.
• Survivors’ benefit and old-age benefit: A widower or widow who receives a survivors’ benefit and reaches the eligibility age for an old-age benefit (or someone who receives an old-age benefit and later becomes entitled to a survivors’ benefit) may be entitled to a full old-age benefit plus half of the survivors’ benefit, if they have accumulated the required qualifying period as workers.
• General disability benefit when moving to old-age benefit: Those who received a general disability benefit up to the age of eligibility for an old-age benefit will, at old-age, receive a benefit (for example “old-age benefit for a disabled person”) in an amount that will not be lower than the disability benefit they previously received. From the perspective of rights, this is not a “second benefit”, but rather a transition from one benefit to another without reducing the amount.
• Benefits for children and special grants: There are benefits and grants that the law determines are paid in addition to other benefits, for example a child allowance alongside a dependents’ benefit, or a grant for a child orphaned due to domestic violence, which is paid in addition to a survivors’ benefit or a disability benefit, as long as the eligibility conditions are met.

3. Types of results the calculator shows

Based on the data you enter (types of benefits and your personal situation), the calculator simulates how the rules are applied by the National Insurance, and can show several main types of results:

• One benefit only: In many cases it is not possible to receive two benefits in parallel, and the calculator will explain that in your situation you can receive only one benefit – usually the higher one – and will sometimes add a note that the amount of the benefit paid will not be lower than the amount of another benefit you could have received (for example when choosing a dependents’ benefit instead of a survivors’ benefit).
• Partial double benefit – full benefit plus half: In cases where the law allows a partial overlap, the calculator will show an option to receive one benefit at the full rate and another benefit at a partial rate (usually half of the old-age benefit or half of the survivors’ benefit), and will calculate for you the most beneficial combination.
• Full double benefit – two separate benefits: In certain cases, mainly when dealing with different types of benefits that do not “conflict” with each other (such as some special grants or child allowances), the calculator will indicate the possibility of receiving both benefits in parallel.