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Index PART 1: ENTITLEMENT Description of Scheme Information Leaflet Legislation Administration Qualifying Conditions in Summary Qualifying Conditions in Detail Assessment of Means where claimant has spouse/civil partner/cohabitant Maintenance from former spouse/civil partner/cohabitant Special Saver Category Disqualifications Rules Residence in an Institution Absence from the State, Imprisonment, Late claims Rates Structure Increase for Qualified Adult Increase for Qualified Child Extra Benefits Living Alone Increase Telephone Support Allowance Increase for Living on a Specified Island Overlapping Provisions PART 2: CLAIMS, INVESTIGATION AND DECISION PROCEDURES Claims Late Claims Documentation Investigation of Claim Decisions Appeals PART 3: PROCEDURES FOLLOWING AWARD Payment Arrears Duration of Payment Maintenance Lost book action Certification of ongoing Entitlement Education and Employment while on Disability Allowance Review Suspension of Payment Credits Retention/Destruction of Documents PART 1: ENTITLEMENT Description of scheme Disability Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability whose income falls below certain limits and who are aged between 16 and under 66. The scheme was introduced on 2 October 1996 and replaced the Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance which was administered by the Health Boards. Information Leaflet 'Disability Allowance' SW 29 Legislation The main provisions relating to Disability Allowance are contained in Chapter 10 (Part 3) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended, and Chapter 5 (PART 3) of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control) Regulations 2007 S.I. No. 142 of 2007, as amended. Administration The Scheme is administered by Disability Allowance Section, Longford Centralised Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford LoCall no. 1890927770 Qualifying Conditions in Summary To qualify for a Disability Allowance a person must: - Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year - As a result of this disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications - be aged between 16 and under 66 - satisfy a means test - be habitually resident in the State. Qualifying Conditions in Detail Medical - be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment The medical criteria which must be satisfied in order to qualify for Disability Allowance are: - The person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year and - As a result of the condition the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person's age, experience and qualifications. This would mean that the person's capacity to undertake or carry out work would be substantially less than that of a person without the specified Disability in question. The application form requires claimants to give details relating to their level of education and work history, in addition to how their medical condition affects their life and ability to work. Their own doctor must complete a medical report on their medical condition, which outlines various aspects of their medical condition. The Departmental Medical Assessors may give an opinion on the evidence submitted as to the nature and extent of the disability and its effect on the person's capacity to work. Age - The person must be aged 16 or over and under 66. Means For the purposes of Disability Allowance, means are calculated in accordance with Part 2 of the Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 as amended. (See guidelines on 'Means Assessment'' and 'Farm Means') Habitual Residence - be habitually resident in the State From 1st May 2004 anyone regardless of nationality, making a claim for Disability Allowance, is required to satisfy a habitual residence condition (HRC). Please see seperate guideline ' Habitual Residence Condition' . Assessment of means where claimant has spouse/civil partner partner/cohabitant Where a claimant is married/in a civil partnership/co-habiting, the following provisions apply: If a spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is not in receipt of a social welfare payment in their own right other than Disablement Benefit, Family Income Supplement or Child Benefit or is not participating on certain approved course(s), where the rate of allowance payable is equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker's Allowance then the weekly means assessed are deducted from the full family entitlment to Disability Allowance (full personal rate, full qualified adult rate and full qualified child(ren) rate to arrive at the weekly rate of Disability Allowance payable. Where the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is in receipt of a social welfare payment in their own right other than half-rate Carer’s Allowance, Disablement Benefit, Family Income Supplement or Child Benefit or is participating on certain approved course(s), where the rate of allowance payable is equivalent to the maximum rate of Jobseeker's Allowance, the means will be halved and will be deducted from the maximum personal rate and half qualified child(ren) rate to arrive at the weekly rate of Disability Allowance payable. Under the new means assessment arrangements introduced from 26 September 2007, spouse's/civil partner's/cohabitant's earnings are calculated as gross earnings less PRSI, Superannuation and Union dues (since March 2009 pension levies are also deducted). Where the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is engaged in insurable employment a disregard of €20 per day applies subject to a maximum of €60 per week and balance is at 60%. In all other cases the balance is assessed at 100%. the disregard of €20 per day only applies to insurable employment. Saver Clause A saver clause applies if the claimant was in receipt of a higher rate of Disability Allowance on 26 September 2007 than s/he would have been entitled to under the new means assessment provisions. If the claimant should cease entitlement to Disability Allowance for a period greater than four weeks, the saver cause no longer applies. Under the saver clause if the claimant qualifies for payment of the full increase in respect of a qualified adult and the spouse/civil partner's/cohabitant's means are under €76.18, full means are deducted from the scheduled rate. If the spouse/partner's means exceed €76.18 then the means are halved. If the claimant does not qualify for full increase in respect of a qualified adult (e.g. the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is in receipt of a SW payment) or is only entitled to a reduced rate of increase in respect of a qualified adult (e.g. spouse's/civil partner's/cohabitant's gross earnings are such that a tapered qualified adult rate applies) - half of the total means are deducted from the scheduled rate of payment. Before calculating means derived from a spouse's/civil partner's/cohabitant's insurable employment, the following disregards are applied: - €100.00 (travel inclusive) for working 4/5 days a week, or - €50.00 together with any travel expenses necessarily incurred for working 1/2/3 days a week. If spouse/partner is working outside the island of Ireland the disregard is €152 per week Maintenance from former spouse/civil partner/cohabitant Maintenance payments from a former spouse/civil partner/cohabitant are assessed as means. Vouched housing costs, either rent or mortgage, of up to €95.23 per week may be offset against maintenance payments with half the balance of the maintenance payment being assessed as means to establish the rate of Disability Allowance payment. Special Saver Category for recipients of DPMA Where a person was in receipt of Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance at 1 October 1996, their entitlement continued automatically. Disqualifications Rules A claimant will be disqualified from receiving Disability Allowance if s/he fails, without good cause, to - attend for or submit to any medical examination or other examination at such time or place as may be required by an Officer of the Minister provided that the Officer gives not less than 7 days notice in writing; - comply with any instructions relating to his/her incapacity issued by a registered medical practioner or refrain from behaviour likely to hinder his/her recovery; - be available to meet with an Officer of the Minister and answer any reasonable enquiries relating to his/her Disability Allowance claim. Residence in an Institution The restriction on payment of full rate disability allowance to persons who are in full time residential care was abolished from 3 January 2007. Prior to 3 January 2007 The position prior to 3 January 2007 was that Disability Allowance was not payable where a claimant was resident in an institution, where the cost of their maintenance was being met in whole or in part by the Health Service Executive except - where the person has an existing entitlement to Disability Allowance and they went into hospital or institutional care after 1 August 1999, then payment of his/her Disability Allowance continued as long as he/she satisfied the qualifying conditions for award of Disability Allowance, or - if they entered the hospital or institution before 1 August 1999, they were resident there on a temporary basis to receive medical or other treatment for a period not exceeding 13 weeks, i.e. payment of Disability Allowance stopped after 13 weeks. Since 4 June 1997, Disability Allowance had been payable at half the appropriate rate in respect of any week where a claimant (under an arrangement with the institution) resides outside the care facility for two or three consecutive days a week, once that week is part of a period of not less than four consecutive weeks. In addition, from 4 June 1997, the full appropriate rate of Disability Allowance was payable in respect of an arranged period spent on holidays within the State and outside institutional care. The period on holidays must be of at least 3 consecutive weeks. People in residential care who had been receiving half rate Disability Allowance will be paid at full rate from 3 May 2000. After 1 August 1999 persons who were in receipt of the holiday payment for 3 consecutive weeks are being put onto full rate Disability Allowance on return to the institution. An 'institution' for this purpose means a hospital, convalescent home or home for persons suffering from physical or mental disability or ancillary accommodation, nursing home for the care and maintenance of dependent elderly people and any other establishment providing residence, maintenance or care where the cost of a person's maintenance therein is being met in whole or in part by or on behalf of the Health Service Executive. The definition does not include, however, community based houses or hostels, sometimes called "Low Support Hostels" funded or approved by the Health Service Executive. Disability Allowance was payable to persons who were resident there provided that the Health Service Executive is not funding their maintenance. *From January 2005, the Health Boards were replaced by the Health Service Executive. Personal expenses rate For persons who were resident in an institution and were not eligible for Disability Allowance because their maintenance was being met in whole or in part by the Health Service Executive, a special €35 - Disability Allowance personal expenses rate – was payable from 1 June 2005. The payment was made by direct payment to the institution where the person resided. The institution transferred the full payment to the individual account of the person. This arrangement was covered in the service level agreement signed between the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the residential institution concerned. Persons who were in receipt of this disability allowance personal expenses rate became entitled to full rate disability allowance from 3 January 2007. Absence from the State Disability Allowance is not payable for any period in respect of which the claimant is resident away from the State except where the person is pursuing an approved second or third level courses of education outside the State under the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) Scheme (see Chapter " Back to Education Programmes") or while receiving medical treatment which is not available in this State. The claimant must notify the Department and furnish the required details before leaving the State in order for a determination to be made regarding their continued entitlement to a payment. 'Habitual Residence Condition'. Imprisonment People in prison or detained in legal custody are not entitled to payment of Disability Allowance. A person shall not be considered to be detained in legal custody for the purposes of entitlement to disability allowance where she or he is detained for treatment under - an admission order or renewal order under the Mental Health Act 2001, or - an order made under Section 38 of the Health Act 1947, or - an order made under Section 4 or Section 5 of the Criminal Law (Insanity) - an order made under Section 17 of the Lunacy (Ireland) Act 1821, or - an order made under Section 2 of the Trial of Lunatics Act 1883. (See Chapter on "Imprisonment") Late Claims A person is disqualified for payment of Disability Allowance for any period exceeding 7 days before the date on which the claim is made. (See also Late Claims in Part 2 hereunder). See also separate guideline on 'Claims and Late Claims'. Rates Structure Payment is made up of a personal rate and increases in respect of the claimant's spouse/civil partner/cohabitant and each qualified child. The rate is reduced by €2.50 for every €2.50 of means, (or part of €2.50). Increase for Qualified Adult Under a new means assessment introduced under the Social Welfare (Consolidated Claims, Payments and Control)(Amendment) (No. 5) (Assessment of Earnings) Regulations 2007 S.I. No 700 of 2007 which came into effect on 26 September 2007 a family rate less means applies where the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of the Disability Allowance claimant does not have a social welfare payment in their own right. The family rate is based on full personal rate, a full qualified adult rate and full child dependent rate less means. A saver clause applies if the claimant was in receipt of a higher rate of disability allowance on 26 September 2007 than s/he would have been entitled to under the new means assessment provisions. If the claimant should cease entitlement to disability allowance for a period greater than four weeks, the saver clause no longer applies. Under the saver clause an Increase for a Qualified Adult is normally payable where the claimant is married or cohabiting with another person as husband and wife unless the spouse or civil partner or cohabitant has weekly income exceeding €310 per week. Where the claimant's spouse/civil partner/cohabitant has weekly income of between €100 and €310 per week, a reduced increase for a qualified adult is payable. However payment of child allowance at full rate will continue where spouse/civil partner/cohabitant income does not exceed €310 per week. See Chapter on 'Increases - Increase for a Qualified Adult' for further details and particulars of the other conditions that apply. Increase for a Qualified Child Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) is payable for each child under age 18 who is normally resident with and is being maintained by the claimant. IQC is also payable in respect of a child who is in full-time education by day at a recognised school or college up to the end of the academic year in which s/he reaches age 22. See also guideline on 'Increases - Increase for a Qualified Child' for further details and for information on the circumstances where only half-rate IQC is paid. Extra Benefits Free Travel, Household Benefits Package - Electricity/Natural Gas/Bottled Gas Refill Allowance, Free Television Allowance, Free Fuel and certain Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) payments may be paid in conjunction with Disability Allowance subject to satisfying the respective conditions of these other payments. See guidelines 'Free Travel', 'Household Benefits Package', 'National Fuel Schemes', 'Rent Allowance' and 'Supplementary Welfare Allowance'. Living Alone Increase Living Alone Increase is payable to persons in receipt of Disability Allowance from April 4 2001, if the person lives entirely alone [see separate guideline on 'Living Alone Increase' ]. Telephone Support Allowance From 6 June 2018, this increase is paid automatically to those who qualify for both the Living Alone Allowance and the Free Fuel Allowance. Increase for Living on a Specified Island Increase for Living on a Specified Island is a weekly payment made to persons in receipt of Disability Allowance from 2 April 2003, who ordinarily live on a specified island off the coast of Ireland (See separate guideline on 'Increase for Living on a Specified Island'). Overlapping Provisions Disability Allowance is payable in addition to Disablement Benefit, Family Income Supplement, Child Benefit and Death Benefit. No other benefit or allowance is payable with Disability Allowance to or in respect of the same person in respect of the same period. This applies to both the claimant and payments made in respect of the claimant's spouse/civil partner/cohabitant. (See separate guideline ' Overlapping Payments' ) From 27 September 2007 a person who is claiming a social welfare payment (other than Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit) or being claimed for as a Qualified Adult and who is providing full time care to another person may now apply for Carer's Allowance and retain their current payment in full. If they satisfy the conditions for Carer's Allowance it will be awarded at 50% of the personal rate they would qualify for if they were not in receipt of any other payment. They will also be eligible for Household Benefits and a Free Travel Pass. * A person may not receive Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance, Back to Work Allowance or Family Income Supplement and half rate Carer's Allowance but they may be a qualified adult on these payments and receive half rate Carer's Allowance. See 'Carer's Allowance' guideline for more information. PART 2: CLAIMS, INVESTIGATION AND DECISION PROCEDURES Claims Under the legislation the onus is on a person to apply if s/he believes that s/he may have an entitlement to payment. The Disability Allowance claim form DA1 should be completed in full and signed by the claimant. The person should state his/her Personal Public Service Number [PPS no.]. If s/he has no PPS no. he/she should apply to their local INTREO Centre and a new PPS no. will be allocated and should be quoted in all future correspondence. (Health Board Executive clients in receipt of or awaiting a decision on the award of Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance on 1st October 1996 were automatically deemed to have applied for Disability Allowance.) The claimant should forward all relevant documentation as requested. However this may be submitted after the initial claim is made rather than delaying the claim in order to obtain it. An acknowledgement of each claim is issued via SMS upon receipt of the claim where claimants have provided their mobile number. Late Claims The claim should be made within 7 days of the start of entitlement. However, the claim may be backdated for up to 6 months where the person can prove to the satisfaction of the Deciding Officer or Appeals Officer that s/he satisfied the qualifying conditions during that period and that throughout the period of delay there was good cause of delay in making the claim. Further back-dating may also be possible in certain circumstances: - Where the failure to claim within the prescribed time period arose as a result of false and misleading information being provided by staff of the DEASP to the person or their agent, or - The person was so incapacitated by illness or infirmity between time of entitlement and making the claim that they could not make the claim or instruct another person to make the claim on their behalf. See separate guidelines on ' Claims and Late Claims' . Documentation Claimants of Disability Allowance are responsible for the production of certificates, documents, information and evidence required, including Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (if applicable), medical evidence and details of means such as a P60, current payslip, etc. It is not necessary to furnish a birth certificate if born in the Republic of Ireland or marriage certificate if married in the Republic of Ireland. A medical certificate is incorporated into the claim form ( DA1) which must be completed and signed by the claimant's General Practitioner (GP) or Consultant. A decision on entitlement cannot be made until all the necessary documentation has been provided. Investigation of Claim When all the documentation necessary to make a decision on a claim has been received, the file will be referred to a Deciding Officer for decision. Where any question arises about the fulfillment of a condition (e.g. the means of the claimant), further enquiries will be made, either by correspondence or by referring the file to a Social Welfare Investigator for investigation. Where the claimant is unable to act on his or her own behalf because of incapacity, an agent can be appointed to act for him or her, on foot of a Social Welfare Investigator's report. (See also Guidelines for ' SW Inspectors' ) The Department's Medical Assessors may give an opinion to a Deciding Officer on the medical eligibility of a claimant. (See Chapter " MED_ASSESSMENT") Decisions Claims are decided by Deciding Officers appointed by the Minister under Section 299 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005. A notification of the decision is issued to the claimant, and when claims are disallowed or allowed at reduced rates the claimant is given a full explanation of the reason for the disallowance or partial award. Where it is evident that a person does not fulfill the age condition, the claim may be disallowed on that basis before the investigation of the medical condition, the means test and the habitual residency condition is complete. Appeals If a person feels that the decision is based on information about their circumstances which is incorrect or out of date, the person may submit the up to date information to Disability Allowance Section for a revised decision. If the person does not agree with the decision or revised decision on their claim, i.e. where Disability Allowance is disallowed, or awarded at a reduced rate of payment, or from a later date than that claimed, the person may appeal the decision to the Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2. PART 3: PROCEDURES FOLLOWING AWARD Payment Disability Allowance is paid weekly in advance on a Wednesday. The date of the first payment is the Wednesday following the effective date of claim. There are two methods of payment: - Directly into the Post Office via Electronic Information Transfer. This allows for Household Budget facility. - Direct payment weekly by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a Bank Account or Building Society Account (NOT a mortgage account) or Credit Union (not all Credit Unions have this facility) (See also guideline on 'Payment Related Issues' with regard to Time limit on cashing payments and Appointment of agent) Arrears As it is necessary to establish that the claimant satisfies the habitual residency, the medical and means criteria for the award of Disability Allowance and as award of Disability Allowance is from Wednesday following receipt of claim or an earlier date, if the claim is backdated, arrears are frequently payable. Arrears are not calculated until the Disability Allowance claim has been put into payment. Any payments of Supplementary Welfare Allowance or other primary Social Welfare payments in the period between the date from which Disability Allowance is awarded to the date Disability Allowance is put into payment are deducted from the arrears before payment issues. Arrears payments are paid by cheque or by Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) into a Bank Account. Duration of Payment Disability Allowance is payable as long as the claimant - satisfies the qualifying conditions - is not subject to any disqualification and - is not entitled to another benefit (see guideline on 'Overlapping Provisions'). In the event of the death of a Disability Allowance claimant or his/her qualified adult or qualified child(ren), the full rate of payment will continue for a period of 6 weeks after the death. (See separate guideline on 'Payment Methods' re entitlement under these circumstances) Maintenance Stop dates are inserted in the Department's payment system as appropriate - to stop the allowance at pension age; to withdraw a Qualified Child Increase when the child reaches 18 or the end of the academic year in which the child reaches age 22. In the case of a claimant reaching pension age, a claim form for State Pension (Non-Contributory) is issued three months in advance of that date by State Pension Section. Lost EIT CARDS/EFT MISPAYMENTS See Chapter on 'Payment Related Issues' re action to be taken when an EIT card is lost or stolen or an EFT payment is not received. Certification of ongoing entitlement The onus is on the recipient of Disability Allowance to notify the Department immediately of any relevant changes in circumstances. (See also Chapter on " Payment Methods") The principal change of circumstances that must be notified to the Department immediately they occur are: - Claiment gets married, co-habits, separates, divorces - change of address, method of payment or Post Office/Bank; - a claimant leaves the country - a claimant is detained in legal custody - a claimant goes into hospital/nursing home and will reside there for a period in excess of 13 weeks - a claimant takes up a SOLAS course or a Community Employment Scheme - Claimant commences a full time or part time course of study - person(s) included in the claimant's payment dies, leaves the country, takes up a SOLAS course or is detained in legal custody; - claimant takes up employment or self-employment; - qualified adult or qualified child ceases to be supported by the claimant or becomes entitled to pension, allowance or benefit in their own right, - qualified adult takes up employment or self employment, or - child dependent between 18 and 22 ceases full-time education. This list is not exhaustive and claimants should notify the Department immediately if any change in their circumstances occur. Employment and Education while on Disability Allowance Rehabilitative Employment and Self-employment Persons in receipt of Disability Allowance can work while in receipt of the allowance but income is assessable as means. From 7 June 2006 the first €120.00 of weekly earnings and 50% of earnings between €120 and €350 from employment or self-employment of a rehabilitative nature are disregarded in any means test. However, any earnings in excess of this amount must be assessed as income and entitlement to Disability Allowance reduced accordingly. The application for the employment to be considered rehabilitative must be made to the department and should be sent in as soon as the employment commences. In the case of Community Employment Schemes, approval is normally given on foot of certification of placement by SOLAS. In the case of other employment or self-employment a letter is required from the person's own medical doctor certifying the rehabilitative nature of the employment plus a letter from the employer describing the nature of the proposed employment, the number of hours being worked and the level of remuneration for the work. Where an application for employment to be considered rehabilitative is received, it may be forwarded to one of the Departments Medical Assessors for his opinion on the rehabilitative aspects of the proposed employment. If you leave Disability Allowance to take up employment you may have your rate of payment reduced or stopped. If stopped you may retain your free travel pass for 5 years. If your employment ceases and you wish to return to Disability Allowance within twelve months you will be fast tracked back onto Disability Allowance. Back to Work Allowance The Back to Work Allowance for employees is closed to new applications from 1st May 2009 as a result of the Supplementary Budget of 7th April, 2009. Pre 1/5/2009 claims who continue to satisfy the criteria of the scheme will remain in payment. Persons getting Disability Allowance for at least 12 months, who wish to become self-employed are eligible to transfer onto the Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Scheme and keep part of their Disability Allowance payments for up to four years. [See Chapters 'Back to Work Allowance(Employees)' and 'Back to Work Allowance (Self Employed)'] Educational Opportunities If a person is getting Disability Allowance, they can undertake further educational opportunities without affecting their social welfare entitlements If a person is eighteen or over and is in receipt of Disability Allowance for three months or more and attending a full-time second level course at a recognised school or college or is in receipt of Disability Allowance for twelve months or more and attending a full-time third level course at a recognised school or college, they can avail of the Back to Education Allowance Scheme. The only post graduate course options available are Higher Diploma (H Dip) in Education or Graduate Diploma in Education (Primary Teaching) for BTEA purposes. If a person is twenty-one or over and in receipt of Disability Allowance for six months or more they can avail of the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS).[see guideline on 'Back to Education Programmes' and VTOS]. The person will be paid the maximum rate of Disability Allowance and keep any secondary benefits that they already have. Further Education and Training From 23 July 2001, new arrangements agreed between the then Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and this Department were introduced by SOLAS in relation to the payment of training allowances for people with disabilities in further education and training. Under the new arrangements for SOLAS-funded training Disability Allowance recipients are eligible for a SOLAS Training Allowance instead of Disability Allowance. SOLAS will pay participants a standard weekly training allowance of an amount equal to their current Disability Allowance payment (including Living Alone Allowance, Free Fuel Allowance, etc.), whichever is the greater. In addition, they will get a weekly Training Bonus. In all cases, trainees will retain their secondary benefits; i.e. Free Schemes. Payments of Disability Allowance will be suspended for the duration of the person's attendance on a full time SOLAS training course. If the SOLAS training course is not full time and participants are in receipt of a reduced rate training allowance they will remain on Disability Allowance but the training allowance will be assessed as means and they will receive a reduced Disability Allowance payment. All Disability Allowance recipients transferring to SOLAS training have been guaranteed under the new arrangements that - no-one will lose out by transferring onto SOLAS training - the trainee will retain all secondary benefits, and - in the event that the client is unable to continue with training, his/her Disability Allowance payment will be restored automatically on receipt of notification of cessation. Review A review is initiated when the claimant notifies the Department of any changes in his/her circumstances or those of his/her household. Systematic, periodic reviews are also carried out by the Department to confirm that the qualifying conditions (both means, habitual residence and medical) continue to be fulfilled and that no disqualifications from receiving disability allowance apply. Suspension of Payment Where a question arises as to whether the conditions for the receipt of Disability Allowance are fulfilled, and initial enquiries fail to establish entitlement, payment may be suspended in whole or in part until the question has been decided. (See separate guideline on 'Payment Methods' re general powers of suspension.) Credits Where a person has established an entitlement to the award of credited contributions, these will continue to be awarded for the duration of the period they are in receipt of Disability Allowance and for any period they are participating in the Back to Education Allowance scheme. Credits may be awarded to persons on Disability Allowance from the date of award of the Disability Allowance claim or from 2nd October 1996 for persons who were awarded Disabled Persons Maintenance Allowance (DPMA) by a health Board prior to 2nd October 1996 to the date when the claim is stopped.(see separate guideline 'Credits Award'). Retention/Destruction of Documents Documents in respect of Disability Allowance are retained and are not destroyed until six years after termination of claim. A random sample of 10% of files due to be destroyed are retained for archival purposes in accordance with the National Archives Act.
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Tacaíochtaí Fostaíochta Fostaíocht athshlánúcháin Más mian leat dul i mbun fostaíochta, mar fhostaí nó mar fhéinfhostaí, is cóir duit scríobh chuig Rannóg an Liúntais Mhíchumais agus na sonraí iomlána a thabhairt den chineál oibre is rún duit a dhéanamh, lena n-áirítear uaireanta iomlána an chloig a oibreoidh tú in aghaidh na seachtaine agus an méid airgid a thuillfidh tú, agus déanfar athbhreithniú ar d’éileamh. Má mheastar gur de chineál athshlánúcháin í an fhostaíocht, is féidir neamhaird áirithe a thabhairt ar airgead a thuilleann tú nuair a dhéanfaimid áireamh ar d’acmhainn sheachtainiúil, is é sin go dtabharfar neamhaird ar an gcéad €120 de do thuilleamh agus go dtabharfar neamhaird ar 50% de do thuilleamh idir €120 agus €350 freisin. Áireofar tuilleamh os cionn na teorann seo mar acmhainn. Mura meastar nach de chineál athshlánúcháin í d’fhostaíocht nó d’fhéinfhostaíocht, ní bheidh feidhm ag an neamhaird agus measúnófar do thuilleamh ar fad mar acmhainn. Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair Má tá an Liúntas Míchumais á fháil agat le 12 mhí anuas ar a laghad agus más mian leat a bheith féinfhostaithe, is féidir go mbeidh tú in ann aistriú chuig an Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair. Má tá tú ag dul i mbun féinfhostaíochta, íocfar liúntas is comhionann le 100% de do Liúntas Míchumais leat sa chéad bhliain agus liúntas is comhionann le 75% sa dara bliain. Ba chóir duit iarratas a dhéanamh ar an an Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair roimh duit féinfhostaíocht a thosú. Chun athuilleadh eolais a fháil, logáil isteach ar www.welfare.ie. Le linn duit a bheith ar an Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair, coimeádfaidh tú gach sochar tánaisteach atá agat cheana, sochair amhail an Saorthaisteal, an Liúntas Leictreachais agus an Liúntas Gutháin. Lena chois sin, coimeádfaidh tú aon Liúntas Breosla atá agat cheana. Is féidir go ndéanfar aon Fhorlíonadh Cíosa nó aon Fhorlíonadh Úis Mhorgáiste a fhaigheann tú a tharraingt siar de réir a chéile thar thréimhse cheithre bliana. Chun a thuilleadh eolais a fháil, logáil isteach ar www.welfare.ie. Coimeádfaidh tú do chárta leighis le linn duit an Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair a fháil, is cuma faoi d’ioncam. Mura bhfuil tú in ann leanúint ar aghaidh ar an Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair, gheobhaidh tú an Liúntas Míchumais arís go huathoibríoch. Chun a thuilleadh eolais a fháil, déan teagmháil le d’Oifig Leasa Shóisialaigh áitiúil, nó: Seirbhísí Tacaíochta Fostaíochta An Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí Seirbhísí Leasa Shóisialaigh Tithe an Rialtais Lóiste na Sionainne Cora Droma Rúisc Contae Liatroma Má tá tú ag glaoch ó lasmuigh de Phoblacht na hÉireann, glaoigh ar + 353 71 9672616 Tacaíochtaí Oideachais Clár um Fhilleadh ar Oideachas Má fhaigheann tú an Liúntas Míchumais, is féidir leat cúrsaí breisoideachais a dhéanamh gan iad a bheith ag dul i bhfeidhm ar d’íocaíochtaí. Is cóir duit, áfach, é a chur in iúl do Rannóg an Liúntais Mhíchumais má thosaíonn tú ar aon chineál cúrsa oideachais. Liúntas um Fhilleadh ar Oideachas Íocfar an liúntas seo i dtaca le cúrsaí faofa dara leibhéal agus tríú leibhéal araon. Chun an íocaíocht seo a fháil, ní mór duit a bheith: - 18 mbliana d’aois nó os a chionn sin, - ag fáil an Liúntais Mhíchumais le 3 mhí anuas ar a laghad maidir leis an rogha dara leibhéal nó le 9 mí anuas maidir leis an rogha tríú leibhéal, agus - ag freastal ar chúrsa lánaimseartha faofa dara leibhéal nó tríú leibhéal i scoil aitheanta nó i gcoláiste aitheanta. Agus an cúrsa á dhéanamh agat, gheobhaidh tú ráta reatha an Liúntais Mhíchumais agus is féidir leat gach sochar tánaisteach atá agat cheana a choimeád, sochair amhail an Saorthaisteal nó an Liúntas Breosla. Is féidir aon ioncam eile a bheith agat, ioncam amhail tuilleamh ó obair pháirtaimseartha nó obair shaoire, gan é a bheith ag dul i bhfeidhm ar d’íocaíocht. Rachfar i bhfeidhm, áfach, ar aon Fhorlíonadh Cíosa nó aon Fhorlíonadh Úis Mhorgáiste a fhaigheann tú. Ba chóir duit teagmháil a dhéanamh le d’Oifigeach Leasa Phobail chun a fháil amach an mbeadh an scéal amhlaidh. Chun a thuilleadh eolais a fháil, logáil isteach ar www.welfare.ie. Má tá sé de rún agat freisin iarratas a dhéanamh ar dheontas cothabhála ón Údarás Áitiúil nó ón gCoiste Gairmoideachais, comhairlítear duit seiceáil a dhéanamh ar cibé acu a íoctar nó nach n-íoctar an deontas seo in éineacht leis an Liúntas um Fhilleadh ar Oideachas. Scéim Deiseanna Oiliúna Gairmoideachais Oibrítear an Scéim seo trí na Coistí Gairmoideachais áitiúla. Maireann na cúrsaí suas le dhá bhliain agus is iad na teastais is féidir teacht astu ná an Teastas Sóisearach, an Ardteistiméireacht, an Teastas Iar-Ardteistiméireachta agus an Teastas Cathrach agus Ceardchuallachtaí (City & Guilds). Níl ort táille an chúrsa a íoc faoin scéim seo. Cuirtear leabhair agus ábhair ar fáil saor in aisce. Chun páirt a ghlacadh, ní mór duit a bheith: - 21 bhliain d’aois nó os a chionn sin, agus - ag fáil an Liúntais Mhíchumais le 6 mhí anuas ar a laghad. Gheobhaidh tú uasráta an Liúntais Mhíchumais faoin scéim seo agus coimeádfaidh tú gach sochar tánaisteach atá agat cheana, sochair amhail an Saorthaisteal nó an Liúntas Breosla. Ón uair nach ndéantar tástáil acmhainne i dtaobh na Scéime Deiseanna Oiliúna Gairmoideachais, tá cead agat dul ag obair agus ní rachaidh sé sin i bhfeidhm ar d’íocaíochtaí. Rachaidh aon ioncam breise i bhfeidhm, áfach, ar aon Fhorlíonadh Cíosa nó aon Fhorlíonadh Úis Mhorgáiste a fhaigheann tú. Chun a thuilleadh eolais a fháil, logáil isteach ar www.welfare.ie nó déan teagmháil le d’Oifig Leasa Shóisialaigh áitiúil. Gairmoiliúint Má ghlacann tú páirt sa ghairmoiliúint, is féidir leat liúntas oiliúna a fháil in ionad do Liúntais Mhíchumais. Tá sé seo coibhéiseach le huasráta pearsanta an Liúntais Mhíchumais. Má fhaigheann tú Méadú um Dhuine Fásta Cáilithe, Méadú um Leanbh Cáilithe, Méadú um Chónaí Aonair nó Liúntas Breosla, áireofar iad le do Liúntas Oiliúna chomh maith. B’fhéidir go bhfaighfeá Bónas Oiliúna freisin. B’fhéidir freisin go leanfá de cháiliú dóibh seo a leanas: - Pacáiste na Sochar don Líon Tí (an Liúntas Leictreachais, an Liúntas Gáis Nádúrtha nó an Liúntas d'Athlán Gáis Bhuidéalaithe agus an Saorcheadúnas Teilifíse), - an Saorthaisteal, - Forlíonadh Cíosa nó Forlíonadh Úis Mhorgáiste. Mura bhfuil tú in ann leanúint ar aghaidh ar an gcúrsa oiliúna, gheobhaidh tú an Liúntas Míchumais arís go huathoibríoch. Ba chóir duit teagmháil a dhéanamh le do Bhord Oideachais agus Oiliúna agus le Rannóg an Liúntais Mhíchumais chun a chur faoi deara go n-atosófar d’éileamh.