Financial Supports

When a person is diagnosed with an intellectual disability and / or autism it can change how the entire family unit functions. Sometimes a parent will give up employment to care for their family member. In other cases a child may have quite a severe disability or a person over 16 may be restricted in taking up employment due to their disability. In such cases there are financial supports available from the state to support the family or person.

The social welfare application process is less than perfect. Inclusion Ireland has guides to applying for the main social welfare payments that relate to disability and caring and a guide to social protection applications and appeals.

Scroll down for more information.

Carers Allowance

 

 

 

 

Carers Benefit

  • This is a non means tested payment to a person with a certain amount of social insurance who is taking time to care for another person.
  • Income Support Finance Leaflet – Carers Benefit
  • More information is available from the Government website here or from the Citizens Information website here

Disability Allowance

  • This is a means tested, weekly payment for people with a disability who are substantially restricted in taking up employment. Read our guide as the application process for this payment does not always work well for people with an intellectual disability.
  • Income Support Finance Leaflet – Disability Allowance
  • More information is available from the Government website here or from the Citizens Information website here

Domiciliary Care Allowance

  • This is a non means tested, monthly payment to the parents of children with severe disabilities who are under 16 years of age. Read our guide as the application process for this payment does not always work well for people with an intellectual disability. Children for whom this payment is made also qualify for a medical card and their carer automatically qualifies for an annual Carer Support Grant.
  • Income Support Finance Leaflet – Domiciliary Care Allowance DCA
  • More information is available from the Government website here or from the Citizens Information website here

Carer Support Grant

  • The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment, not means tested to a person giving fulltime care and attention to a person who needs such care. You do not have to be receiving any other payment to qualify for this payment.
  • Income Support Finance Leaflet – Carer’s Support Grant
  • More information is available from the Government website here or from the Citizens Information website here

Social Welfare Applications and Appeals

  • Every year lots of people apply for a social welfare payment and are refused. This is often due to a lack of relevant information.
  • If you are refused a payment appeal this decision as a majority of disability-related appeals are successful. Disability Allowance is the most common payment for an appeal.
  • We have a guide to making an appeal.
  • Income Support and Finance Leaflet – Social Welfare Reviews and Appeals