Contents

Entitlements

The following is a list of the main entitlements for people with disabilities and their carers. The list is not exhaustive and changes from time to time. It is for information purposes only and the final decision on granting any of these issues is with the relevant authority.

Health Service Executive

Domicillary Care Allowance (& Respite Care Grant)

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly allowance administered by the Health Service Executive and paid in respect of eligible children from birth up to their 16th Birthday, who have a severe disability requiring continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age.

It is a matter for the Senior Medical Officer in the relevant Health Service Executive area to decide whether a child with a particular condition qualifies for Domiciliary Care Allowance.

Click on the HSE link above and download the application form and submit it to your nearest centre. You will then be called to meet a Senior Medical Officer who must be satisfied that the child needs levels of care in excess of the norm. It is important to bring any supporting documentation, evaluations or diagnosis materials with you to this meeting.

In nearly all cases once you are approved for the Domicillary Care Allowance you will automatically receive the Respite Care Grant. This grant is normally paid from June each year and its current value is €1,500.00.

Medical/GP Visit Card

Please click on the HSE link above and scroll down to download an application form for a medical card. In the cases of special needs children the criteria and thresholds are different so it is important that you contact the HSE Medical Card Section before you apply.

Department of Social & Family Affairs

Carers Allowance/Benefit

The Carer's Allowance is a payment for carers on low incomes who live with and look after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. Carers who are providing care to more than one person may be entitled to up to 50% extra of the maximum rate of Carer's Allowance each week, depending on the weekly means assessed.

This benefit can also lead to free telephone line rental, TV license etc. but is means tested.

Disability allowance

Disability Allowance is a weekly payment that you may get if:

• you have a disability that is expected to last for at least one year, and
• you are aged 16 to 65.

To get the payment, you must satisfy a means test. You may also need to attend a medical exam.

Department of Education and Science

www.education.ie

Home Tuition Grant

Please read the following extract from the Department of Education's website:

APPLICATION FOR HOME TUITION FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER

Home tuition is intended to provide education for children with:

A clear diagnosis of Autistic Spectrum Disorder who have a significant special educational need and who are awaiting the provision of an appropriate school based educational service.

Home Tuition is for educational purposes only. The provision of therapeutic services such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Psychological services etc are a matter for the Health Service Executive (HSE). Therefore Home Tuition grants should not be used, under any circumstances, to fund health related supports.

 * Details and qualifications of teacher must be included in the application form. Teacher must submit some form of identification displaying their signature e.g. driving licence, passport. This may be submitted with the home tuition application or directly to the Home Tuition Section, Special Education, indicating the name of the child to whom he/she will be delivering home tuition. Sanction of Home Tuition will only be given when full details of the proposed teacher are provided to the Department of Education and Science and the application has been fully completed. No arrangements should be entered into with teachers in anticipation of funding until confirmation of sanction is received from the Department – Appendix 1 outlines Acceptable Qualifications for Home Tuition Providers

 * Copies of recent psychological assessments/professional reports should be attached. All reports submitted will be treated confidentially.

 * Home Tuition will be sanctioned on a term basis only/or until a school placement has been sourced, again arrangements should not be entered into with teachers in anticipation of funding beyond the sanction date unless Department of Education & Science sanction has been received. Retrospective Grant Claim Forms will not be processed.

(Application form download available on the Department Website).

Revenue Commissioners

www.revenue.ie

Contact Your Local Tax Office. Proof of diagnosis is required for the Incapaciated Child Allowance and a basic form must be completed. This allowance is retrospective to the date of diagnosis or the start of the current/previous tax year.

• Incapacitated Child Tax Credit
• Medical Expenses Rebate (Med 1 Form)

More Information

Don't Forget That People With Disabilities Rights Are Protected In Legislation!

The following information may also be of assistance to you:

• Equality & Rights
• Voluntary Organisations
• National Council for Special Education
• National Educational & Psychological Service

Click Here for more information.