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Internal Guidelines used in processing claims Table of Contents Part 1: Entitlement - Description of Scheme - Information Leaflet - Legislation - Administration Qualifying Conditions in Summary Qualifying Conditions - in Detail - Widow/Widower/Surviving Civil Partner - Separated/Divorced - Unmarried - Maintenance - Prisoner's spouse/civil partner - Main care and charge of a child - Cohabitation - Marriage/Civil Partnership/Remarriage/New Civil Partnership - Means Test - Earnings - Transitional Payment Special Cases Disqualification - Cohabitation - Habitual Residence Condition (HRC) - Application of HRC Condition to EEA workers - Family Benefits - Absence from the State - Imprisonment - Late Claims Rates Structure - Basic rate - Increase for a qualified child Options for One-Parent Family Payment Recipients Employment Supports - Back to Work Enterprise Allowance - Back to Work Allowance - Community Employment Educational Supports - Back to Education Programmes - Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) Extra Allowances/Benefits - Reduced rate PRSI - Family Income Supplement - Fuel allowance - Widowed Parent Grant - After Death Benefits - Carer's Allowance - State Pension Non-Contributory - Other Benefits available from relevant Health Service Executive Overlapping Provisions - Increase for a qualified child Part 2: Claims, Investigation and Decision Procedures - Claims - Documentation - Offences - Time Limits on Making of a claim - Late Claims - Investigation of Claim - Investigation by Social Welfare Inspectors - Decisions - Appeals Part 3: Procedures Following Award - Payment Date - Payment Methods - Electronic Information Transfer (EIT) - Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) - Arrears - Duration of Payment - Claim Maintenance - Lost/Stolen/Card/Cheque action - Payment to an agent - Change of Post Office, Method of Payment or change of address - Absence from the State - Direct Provision Accomodation - Illness/Hospital Stays - Imprisonment - Certification of ongoing entitlement - Review - Suspension/Revocation/Reduction of Payment - Credited Contributions Guidelines on Efforts Condition for Separated Claimants - Requirement to make appropriate efforts to obtain maintenance - Spouse/Civil Partner working and current address known - Whereabouts of spouse/civil partner not known - If claimant thinks spouse/civil partner is resident in another country - The Efforts Condition is regarded as being satisfied - The Efforts Condition is regarded as not being satisfied Guidelines on Efforts Condition for Unmarried Claimants Part 1: Entitlement Description of Scheme: One-Parent Family Payment is a means-tested payment which is made to men or women who are caring for a child or children without the support of a partner. The scheme was introduced on 2 January 1997, and replaced the following schemes: - Lone Parent's Allowance - Deserted Wife's Benefit (Deserted Wife's Benefit is still paid to those who had qualified for such payment before 2 January 1997 - see also " Deserted Wife's Benefit" guideline for more general information. Information Leaflet: One-Parent Family Payment - SW 82 Legislation: The main provisions relating to One-Parent Family Payment are contained in: - Part 3, Chapter 7, of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended. - Chapter 3, Articles 124 to 130 of Part III 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 the Social Welfare Services Sligo, Department of Social Protection, College Road, Sligo. However, processing of claims commenced in a number of Social Welfare Local Offices. All new claims should be sent to nearest Local Office with the exception of the following offices: Bantry, Buncrana, and Mallow. Only new claims for the named offices should be sent One Parent Family Payment, Social Welfare Services, Sligo. Qualifying Conditions in Summary: The person must be either - - widowed (includes a person divorced from spouse prior to spouse's death and not remarried or person whose civil partnership has been dissolved prior to civil partner's death and who has not registered in a new civil partnership) - separated (or divorced) - unmarried (including one whose marriage has been annulled or civil partnership has been dissolved) or - a prisoner's spouse/civil partner The person must also: - have the main care and charge of at least one child who is residing with them - for person applying for One-Parent Family Payment after 1 January 2009, the person applying for One-Parent Family Payment must be a �qualified parent'. A �qualified parent' means a widow, a widower, surviving civil partner, a separated spouse, a separated civil partner, an unmarried person, or a person whose spouse/civil partner has been committed in custody to a prison or place of detention for not less than 6 months, who is a parent, step-parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of at least 1 qualified child, who normally resides with that person. (Section 13 of the Social Welfare (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2008 refers. - not be cohabiting (that is in a relationship and living with another person of the opposite or same sex - see below re cohabitation) - not have gross earnings from insurable employment or self-employment exceeding �425.00 (increased from �293.00 to �375.00 effective from 29 May 2006 - SI 206 of 2006; increased to �400.00 effective from 3 May 2007 - SI 219 of 2007; and increased to �425 effective from 8 May 2008) per week. (Note � Effective from 8 May 2008, in assessing earnings up to the income limit of �425, a disregard will apply for PRSI, Superannuation, Personal Retirement Savings Accounts (PRSA) together with additional voluntary contributions (AVCs) to PRSA, and trade union subscriptions made by the customer.) - satisfy a means test - be habitually resident in the State (Please see separate guideline Habitual Residence Condition and section below regarding application of HRCto EEA workers) Qualifying Conditions - in Detail Widow/Widower Where a person has been married or registered in a civil partnership more than once, the condition of being widowed/ a surviving civil partner relates only to the last spouse/civil partner of the person. However, a person who is divorced from his/her spouse or their civil partnership has been dissolved prior to death of spouse/civil partner, being a divorce or dissolution that is recognised as valid in the State, and had not remarried or entered into another civil partnership will qualify as a widow/er /surviving civil partner provided all other qualifying conditions are satisfied. Separated/Divorced For a person to qualify as a separated or divorced person or a person whose civil partnership has been dissolved s/he must: - have been living apart from his/her spouse/civil partner for at least 3 months - have made and continue to make appropriate efforts to get maintenance from his/her spouse/civil partner where civil partner is the parent of the child/ren (See Appendix 1 for what constitutes "efforts") See " Liability to Maintain Family" guideline for more general information. Unmarried A person who is unmarried will be required to make efforts to seek maintenance in respect of the child/ren from the other parent of the child/ren. These efforts need not be made at the initial claim stage but continued entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment is conditional on efforts being made to seek maintenance from the other parent of the child/ren. This requirement is applicable to new claims received in the Department on or after 1 May 1997. (See Appendix 2 for what constitutes "efforts") Maintenance A person who claims One-Parent Family Payment is required to seek maintenance from her/his spouse /civil partner where civil partner is the parent of the child/ren or the other parent of the child. Maintenance payments are assessed as means. Vouched housing costs of up to �95.23 per week (rent or mortgage) may be offset against maintenance payments with half the balance of maintenance being assessed as means in establishing the rate of One-Parent Family Payment due. See " Liability to Maintain Family" and " Means Assessment" guidelines for more general information and detail on the assessment of maintenance as means. Prisoner's spouse/civil partner To qualify as a prisoner's spouse/civil partner, the other spouse/civil partner must: - have been sentenced for a term of imprisonment/detention of at least 6 months or - have been in custody for at least 6 months without being sentenced. Main care and charge of a child A person must have the main care and charge of a child(ren). Generally speaking this means that a person must show that the child spends the greater amount of time (weekly) with the claimant. This aspect may have to be verified by a Social Welfare Inspector of the Department. Under current legislation One-Parent Family Payment is not payable where a couple have joint equal custody of a child/ren. With effect from 1 January 2009, an applicant for one-parent family payment must be the parent, step-parent, adoptive parent or legal guardian of at least 1 qualified child, who normally resides with him/her. Cohabitation One-Parent Family Payment is not payable to a person who is in a relationship and living with another person of the opposite or same sex. See " Cohabitation" guideline for more general information. Marriage/Civil Partnership & Remarriage/New Civil Partnership: If a person in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment, marries/is in civil partnership or remarries/is in a new civil partnership, entitlement to payment ceases as and from the date of marriage/civil partnership or remarriage/new civil partnership. Means Test For One-Parent Family Payment purposes, means (e.g. income from savings, investments, property etc) are calculated in accordance with Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended. Earnings Earnings are assessed in accordance with Part 3 of Schedule 3 of the Social Welfare ( Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended. All earnings are assessed as * gross earnings. Earnings of less than 110.00 a week are excluded from the assessment of means. Where weekly earnings exceed �110.00 a week but are less than �425.00 per week (increased from 293.00 to 375.00 from 29 May 2006 SI 206 of 2006 and increase to �400.00 per week from 3 May 2007 SI 219 of 2007, and increased to 425.00 per week from 8 May 2008), these earnings are assessed as means. For existing and new recipients, the amount of earnings you are allowed to have without affecting your payment has been reduced from �130.00 to �110.00 per week from 1 January, 2013. Effective from 8 May 2008, a person who has gross income of less than 425.00 is entitled to a disregard of superannuation contributions, social insurance contributions, health contributions and trade union subscriptions for the purposes of determining entitlement to One parent Family payment. A new applicant with earnings of more than 425.00 per week will not qualify for One Parent Family Payment. * For this purpose in the context of employment "gross" is taken to mean all payments in the form of wages including bonuses, shift allowances, overtime etc. but excluding travel and subsistence allowances that are a reimbursement of expenses incurred. Transitional Payment From 1 January 2012, the temporary payment of half-rate OFP, for existing and new clients, where the recipient's earnings exceed �425 per week is no longer available. See " Means Assessment" guideline for more general information. Disqualifications Cohabitation: A One-Parent Family Payment is not payable while a person is in a relationship and cohabiting with someone of the opposite or same sex. See " Cohabitation" guideline for more general information. Habitual Residence Condition From 1 May 2004, an Habitual Residence Condition has been in force for One-Parent family Payment. Full details are given in the guidelines Habitual Residence Condition. Application of the HRC Condition to EEA Workers A Deciding Officer must have due regard to EU law where it is applicable. In general EU law takes precedence over National Law. Family Benefits: One-Parent Family Payment has been classified as a Family Benefit with effect from 5 May 2005 (EU Regulations 1408/71 as amended by 647/2005). The effect of this is that an EEA national, who is employed or self employed in Ireland and paying Irish PRSI, does not have to satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition. Such entitlement continues where the person becomes unemployed and is in receipt of Irish Jobseeker's Benefit. These entitlements are payable even if his/her children are habitually resident in another EEA State. The amount of Family Benefits payable by the Department of Social Protection will depend on whether there is entitlement to Family Benefits from another EEA State in respect of the same children. See separate Guidelines on an Overview of EU Social Security Regulations . Absence from the State: One-Parent Family Payment is not payable to anyone residing outside the State, except for EEA nationals who are working in Ireland and entitled under the provisions of ( EU) Regulation 647/2005 (Miscellaneous Amendments 2003) amending Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72. A person may however have reasonable absences up to a maximum of 3 weeks outside the State for the purposes of holidays, attending a funeral etc. and receive payment. The Department must be notified in advance of the intention to leave the State and the reason for the absence. See Part 3 and " Payment Methods" guideline regarding payment arrangements while absent from the State. Imprisonment: A person is disqualified from receiving the personal rate of payment of One-Parent Family Payment for any period during which he/she is undergoing penal servitude, imprisonment or detention in legal custody. Increase for a qualified child may be paid to another person in certain circumstances. See " Imprisonment" Guidelines. See also Part 3 below and " Payment Methods" guideline for more detail on payment arrangements while imprisoned. Late Claims: If a person fails to make a claim within the prescribed time, s/he will be disqualified from receiving payment in respect of any period prior to the date of claim. This also applies to the making of a claim for any increase in payment or allowances e.g. claim for increase in payment in respect of an additional child. However, where a person can prove to the satisfaction of a Deciding or Appeals Officer that entitlement existed and that there was good cause for the delay in making a claim to One-Parent Family Payment, payment may be made for a period up to 6 months before the date of claim. Also, where a claim for payment or an increase in payment is made outside the prescribed time, the period for which payment is made can be extended where the delay in making the claim is due to - - incorrect information being given by the Department; or - the person being so incapacitated that s/he was unable to pursue the claim or - a force majeure See ' Claims and Late Claims' guideline for more information Rates Structure Basic rate: One-Parent Family Payment is made up of a personal rate and increase for a qualified child. The personal rate depends on a person's means/income i.e. rate of payment reduces as means/income increase. See SW 19 for current rates of payment. See also Part 3 re duration of payment. Increases for a qualified child An increase in payment is made in respect of a qualified child up to age 18, or up to the end of academic year (June) of the year in which the qualified child reaches age 22, if s/he is in full-time education by day at an institution of education. From January 2012 onwards, the age limit of the youngest child for OFP entitlement purposes is gradually being reduced to seven years of age. The reduction in the age limit is being applied to new and existing customers on a phased basis and will not affect existing customers until July 2013. The new arrangements will apply as follows depending on whether your claim was made: - Prior to 27 April 2011; - Between 27 April 2011 and 02 May 2012; or - From 03 May 2012 onwards. The table below sets out the details. Payment of the One-Parent Family Payment will cease if the youngest child on your claim reaches the age specified in the year shown in the table below. If you have an entitlement to OFP based on the age of the youngest child in the family, payment of an Increase for a Qualified Child will continue for the older children in the family until they reach 18 years or 22 years if they are in full-time education. Extension of youngest child age in certain circumstances Special provisions have been put in place for customers who: - are in receipt of the Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) - in these cases OFP will remain in payment until the youngest child reaches 16 years. - have been recently bereaved � in these circumstances OFP will be payable for two years from the date of death of the spouse/civil partner/co-habitant or until the youngest child reaches age 18). Application of child age provisions to former customers who reapply for OFP An existing customer, who stops claiming OFP before 03 July 2015: - To participate in the Back to Education Scheme; Or - Because his/her earnings exceed the qualifying earnings limit for the scheme, can reapply for OFP based on the youngest child condition which applied at the time of their original application. See also " Dependants" guideline for more detail on increases for a qualified child. Options for One-Parent Family Payment Recipients Employment Supports Back to Work Enterprise Allowance Back to Work Enterprise Allowance is available to persons in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment who become self employed. This allowance which is paid instead of One-Parent Family Payment is subject to certain conditions, including that they have been in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment for 12 months. The allowance is payable on a reducing scale over a two year period i.e. 100% of a person's social welfare payment in this case One Parent Family Payment (OFP) in year one and 75% in year two. Applicants must be setting up a self-employment business that has been approved in writing, in advance, by a Local Integrated Development Company or a Facilitator from this Department, A person in receipt of Back to Work Enterprise Allowance may retain secondary benefits in payment with One-Parent Family Payment. Secondary benefits are Fuel Allowance from this Department. Supplementary Welfare Allowance payments such as Rent Allowance, Back to School Clothing & Footwear Allowance and Medical Card may also be payable. See " Back to Work Enterprise Allowance" guidelines for more detail. Back to Work Allowance In the Supplementary Budget April 2009 it was announced that the Back to Work Allowance scheme is closed to new applicants from 1 May 2009. Community Employment Community Employment is a training/employment scheme administered by FAS. One-Parent Family Payment recipients are eligible to participate, subject to certain conditions. One condition is that the person must have been in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment for 52 weeks. Weekly income from Community Employment is assessable as means. However, as the first �110.00 a week is disregarded as income, One-Parent Family Payment is generally payable in addition to income from Community Employment. Secondary benefits ( as outlined above) may be retained. New participants on Community Employment Schemes from 16 January 2012 will not be able to claim a social welfare payment at the same time. In these cases, an additional �20 per week that is paid to all CE participants will apply. A person should contact their local FAS office to apply for inclusion on a Community Employment scheme. Educational Supports Back to Education Programme Persons in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment are eligible, subject, to certain conditions, to participate in the Back to Education Allowance scheme. The Back to Education allowance is an educational opportunities scheme for persons in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who wish to pursue an approved full-time second or third level course of education in an approved college leading to a recognised qualification. From January 2013 participants will continue on their current rate of payment, rather than being increases to maximum rate as in the past. The annual cost of education allowance is no longer payable from the start of 2013. Also, participants may continue to receive any secondary benefits to which they otherwise have an entitlement. If under 21, they must be 2 years out of education to qualify (confirmation required). In general a person must be over the age of 21 and in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment for at least 3 months (in the case of approved second level courses) or at least 12 months (in the case of approved third level courses). In the case of participants who qualified from an OFP claim received after 27th April 2011, there is provision for continued payment of BTEA and IQC for people until the completion of the course of study if the youngest child reaches 14 years during the course of study. As the allowance is not means tested a person may work to supplement their income. The BTEA application form BTE1 should be made as soon as a place has been secured on an approved second or third level course. See "Back to Education Allowance" guideline for further detail. Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) This scheme is administered by the Department of Education and Science and is operated through VECs. To participate, a person must be in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment for 6 months and be at least 21 years of age. Application should be made to the local VEC for a place on a scheme. Payment of One-Parent Family Payment will be made in the normal way while attending a VTOS course. Secondary benefits may also be retained (as above). See " VTOS" guideline for further detail. Extra Allowances/Benefits Reduced rate PRSI Recipients of One-Parent Family Payment who are insurably employed or self-employed pay the reduced rate Class 2 PRSI contribution. See " Pay-Related Social Insurance" guideline for more detail. Family Income Supplement Where a person in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment is working for an employer and on low income, s/he may be entitled to this supplement in addition to One-Parent Family Payment. Certain conditions apply in relation to hours of work, duration of employment. The One-Parent Family Payment is assessable as means. See " Family Income Supplement" guideline for more general information. Fuel allowance: Payable for a 26 week period from October to April if a person is living alone or with dependent children or other categories of exempted persons. Only one Fuel allowance per household is payable. A person must apply for the allowance. See " SWI/Fuel Schemes" guideline for more general information. Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Parent Grant A Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Parent Grant is a once-off payment designed to assist with income support needs of a widow/er or surviving civil partner immediately following the death of her/her spouse or civil partner. The scheme was introduced in April 2000 and applies only to widow/ers who are widowed on or after 1 December 1999 and surviving civil partners (since 01 January 2011) who have at least one qualified child. To qualify a widow/er must have an entitled to an increase for a qualified child. For the purposes of the Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Parent Grant a qualified child is - a child up to the age of 18, or - a child between the age of 18 and 22, who is in full-time education. After Death Benefits: On the death of a qualified child, payment continues for six weeks at the rate in payment at the date of death. Notification of the date of death should be given to the Department at the earliest possible date. (See separate guideline on Payment Methods for fuller details) See also separate guideline on Bereavement Grant. Entitlement to this grant is based on social insurance contributions. On the death of a One-Parent Family Payment recipient, Bereavement Grant may also be payable as above. Notification of the date of death should be given to the Department at the earliest possible date. Carer's Allowance: From 27 September 2007 a person who is claiming One Parent Family Payment and who is providing full time care to another person may apply for Carer's Allwoance and retain his/her One Parent Family Payment in full. If s/he satisfies the conditions for Carer's Allowance, Carer's Allowance will be paid at 50% of the personal rate s/he would qualify for if s/he were not in receipt of another social welfare payment. S/he will also be eligible for Household Benefits and a Free Travel Pass. See " Carer's Allowance" Guideline for more information State Pension (Non-Contributory) Since the introduction of the State Pension on 29 September 2006 payment of One-Parent Family Payment will no longer be made to persons aged 66 years and over. One-Parent Family Payment Customers will instead be entitled to apply for the State Pension (Non-Contributory) as appropriate. Customers will be advised in advance of reaching 66 years of the fact that their One-Parent Family Payment is being stopped and invited to apply for State Pension (Non-Contricutory) as appropriate. Other Benefits available from the relevant Health Service Executive A person may also qualify for: - Back to School Clothing and Footwear - Exceptional Needs Payments - Medical Card - Rent or Mortgage Supplement See relevant Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA....) guidelines for further details. Overlapping Provisions One-Parent Family Payment is not payable in addition to other social welfare payments (other than with Child Benefit) except in the following circumstances: (i) A person in receipt of the maximum rate of One-Parent Family Payment (who is not also in receipt of Blind Pension) may be paid one of the following payments at half the personal rate provided the conditions for receipt of such payment is satisfied: - Adoptive Benefit - Illness Benefit (for up to 15 months) - Health and Safety Benefit - Injury Benefit - Maternity Benefit - Jobseeker's Benefit (for up to 15 months) - Incapacity Supplement (for up to 15 months) (ii) Where a person is in receipt of reduced rate One-Parent Family Payment, s/he may also be paid one of the above benefits, provided that the total payment does not exceed the sum of the maximum rate of One-Parent Family Payment combined with half the personal rate of benefit concerned. Note: Where a person was in receipt of Illness Benefit or Incapacity Supplement in addition to One-Parent Family Payment on 5 April 1990, s/he continues to be entitled to such benefit or supplement until the end of the period of incapacity for work. From February 2012, if a customer becomes eligible for Jobseeker's Benefit from 2 February, Illness Benefit from 1 February, or Incapacity Supplement from 3 February, s/he can only receive the equivalent rate of one social welfare payment. S/he will not be able to get OFP and a half-rate payment from the other scheme. However, the concurrent payment of OFP with Maternity Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Health & Safety Benefit continues. (iii) Family Income Supplement may be payable to employed persons on low income in addition to One-Parent Family Payment. However, One-Parent Family Payment is assessable as means. (iv) Blind Pension is payable in addition to One-Parent Family Payment to age 66, subject to certain conditions being satisfied. Where a person is in receipt of Blind Pension and One-Parent Family Payment, the following benefits are not payable: - Adoptive Benefit, - Illness Benefit, - Health and Safety Benefit, - Injury Benefit, - Maternity Benefit, - Jobseeker's Benefit, - Incapacity Supplement (v) Disablement Benefit at the personal rate is payable in addition to One-Parent Family Payment. See " Overlapping Payments" guideline for more general information. Increase for a qualified child - is only payable once in respect of a child and is not payable to a person's spouse/civil partner on another social welfare payment. There is no half rate increase for a qualified child on One-Parent Family Payment. Part 2: Claims, Investigation and Decision Procedures: Claims There is an onus on a person, under social welfare legislation, to apply for One-Parent Family Payment if s/he believes that s/he has an entitlement. The One-Parent Family Payment claim form OFP 1 should be completed with all relevant questions answered. The form should be signed by the claimant in all cases. Where the claimant is unable to sign the claim form, his/her mark instead of signature must be witnessed. The person should state his/her Personal Public Service (PPS) Number. However, if s/he has no PPS number, a PPS number will be allocated by the Department. The claimant should forward relevant documentation, as indicated below, with signed claim form. However, the documentation may be sent to the Department after the initial claim is made, if not immediately available. This may cause some delay in processing the claim as a Deciding Officer may not be in a position to decide on entitlement until all relevant documentation has been received in the Department. An acknowledgement of claim is issued on receipt of the claim. The claim reference is quoted and the claimant is asked to quote same in any future contact with the Department regarding One-Parent Family Payment. Depending on financial circumstances, a person may claim Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting a decision on entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment. Documentation A claimant to One-Parent Family Payment is required, under social welfare legislation, to produce certificates, documents, information and evidence required, including Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate, Civil Partnership Registration Certificate, spouse/civil partners' Birth and Death Certificates ( if appropriate), means details (e.g. bank statements, P60, farm details, etc.) and any other supporting documents relevant to the claim. Offences It is an offence for a person to knowingly make a false or misleading statement or to provide documents or information which s/he knows to be false in some respect for the purpose of obtaining or establishing entitlement to pension, or pension at a higher rate. A person found guilty of such an offence could be liable to a fine of 1269.74 or a term of imprisonment of up to 12 months or both. Any overpayment of pension may also be repayable to the Department. Time Limits on Making of a claim A claim to One-Parent Family Payment should be made within three months of the date of entitlement as follows: Late Claims A person is disqualified for payment of One-Parent Family Payment for any period before the date on which the claim is made and entitlement exists. Failure to claim One-Parent Family Payment at the appropriate time may result in loss of payment. However the payment may be backdated for up to six months where "good cause" is shown for the delay in making the claim, provided the claimant can prove to the satisfaction of a Deciding or Appeals Officer that s/he satisfied the qualifying conditions for receipt of payment during that period. The same procedure also applies to claims for increases for child dependants and other allowances. Good cause may be shown to exist where wrong information was received from the Department or ill health prevented a person making a claim to pension at the correct time. Further backdating may be examined on a statutory basis in specific circumstances. See Section 4.2 to 4.5 of the separate guidelines on ' Claims and Late Claims' See also " Claims and Late Claims" guideline for more information on late claims and other circumstances in which backdated payments or allowances may be made. This guideline also deals with the circumstances in which extra statutory payments may be made and the circumstances in which payment for loss of purchasing power may be made. Investigation of Claim Investigation by Social Welfare Inspectors Claims decided by a Deciding Officer without referral to Social Welfare Inspector for review should subsequently be sent for review by a Social Welfare Inspector at an early date. The majority of claims are referred to a Social Welfare Inspector prior to decision by a Deciding Officer, in order to establish if the conditions of entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment are fulfilled. Depending on the circumstances, a Social Welfare Inspector's report should address issues such as means/income, divorce, dissolution of civil partnership, separation, child dependency, maintenance arrangements, housing costs, household composition, possible cohabitation, and where appropriate inspection of relevant certificates. The spouse/civil partner if the parent of the child/ren or other parent of the child may also be visited by a Social Welfare Inspector in order to review child dependency and maintenance arrangements. When all the relevant information is available the claim is referred to a Deciding Officer for decision. See " Liability to Maintain Family" guideline and " SWI/One Parent Family" for more detail. Decisions Claims are decided by Deciding Officers appointed by the Minister under Section 299 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005, as amended. Deciding Officers are independent in the exercise of their function in deciding on entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment. See " Decision-Making" guideline for more general information. A written notification of the decision of the Deciding Officer is issued to the claimant. When a claim is disallowed or allowed at a rate other than the maximum rate of payment, the claimant is given an explanation of the reason for the disallowance or partial award. Details of means/earnings assessed are shown. Claimants are advised of their right of appeal against a Deciding Officer's decision. The appeal must be lodged within 21 days of the date of notification of the decision on their claim. Any decision of a Deciding Officer may be subsequently revised by a Deciding Officer in the light of new information or evidence. Where new information is made available as part of an appeal by the claimant, a Deciding Officer may revise a decision on entitlement, if it is to the advantage of the claimant. There is also a right of appeal against a revised decision. See " Decision-Making" guideline for more information regarding revised decisions. All award notifications advise the claimant of circumstances which could affect continued entitlement to the payment and ask the claimant to advise the Department of any such changes in circumstances. Certificates (birth, marriage, civil partnership etc.) are also returned at this stage. Closing Claims If a claimant fails to furnish all documentation necessary to establish entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment, or fails to attend for interview with a Social Welfare Inspector, a determination cannot be made on the claim in the absence of the information/documentation outstanding. In this event, the claimant's claim is closed. Any future claim will only be considered from the date of re-application. The closure of a claim in these circumstances may not be appealed to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. Any person who is dissatisfied with the decision may appeal to a Senior Deciding Officer within One-Parent Family Payment Section. Appeals If a claimant is not satisfied with the decision of a Deciding Officer s/he may appeal directly to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. An Appeals Officer may decide the matter summarily or may deal with the case by way of an oral hearing. A statement is prepared on the facts relied on by the Deciding Officer in the making of a decision on entitlement to pension and on the extent to which the facts and contentions advanced by the appellant are admitted or disputed. This statement is put before the Chief Appeals Officer. A person may be interviewed by a Social Welfare Inspector regarding any facts or evidence put forward in support of an appeal where the facts/evidence conflict with previous statements made by the claimant. Part 3: Procedures Following Award Payment Date One-Parent Family Payment is payable weekly in advance on a Thursday (or Friday in the case of widow/ers/surviving civil partner). Where the day from which payment takes effect is a day in the week other than Thursday/Friday, the payment takes effect as from the next following Thursday/Friday. The same procedure applies where there is a change in the rate of payment. Payment Methods There are two methods of payment: Electronic Information Transfer ( EIT) Payment may be made by way of a Social Welfare Services Card ( swipe card) which can be used at a Post Office nominated by the claimant. Electronic Fund Transfer Payment may be made by EFT, paid weekly directly into a chosen Bank or Building Society Savings Account. Arrears: Any arrears of payment due may be included in the normal method of payment or paid by cheque. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more general information. Duration of Payment: One-Parent Family Payment is payable for as long as a person continues to satisfy the qualifying conditions and is not disqualified for any reason. Once the last qualified child on your claim reaches the relevant age (see table above) both personal payment and increase for a qualified child cease simultaneously. The claimant is advised in advance that the payment will cease and advised of other payments for which he/she may qualify. In the case of prisoner's spouse/civil partner payment continues for 4 weeks following release of prisoner from imprisonment. Where a qualified child dies, payment continues for six weeks at the rate of payment at the date of death. A Bereavement Grant may also be payable. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more detail on after death payments. Also, see " Bereavement Grant" guideline for more general information. Claim Maintenance Stop dates are inserted on the Department's computer system as appropriate e.g. where there is a younger child in a family who satisfies the age requirements of the scheme, a to stop is applied to the payment of an increase for a an older child who reaches 18 and is not continuing in full time education. Lost/Stolen/Card/Cheque action When a Social Welfare Services card or a cheque from the Department is lost or stolen it should be reported to the Department immediately. The Gardai and the Post Office of payment should also be notified immediately of any such loss or theft. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more detail. Change of Post Office, Method of Payment or change of address The Department should be notified as soon as possible by phone or in writing. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more detail. Absence from the State One-Parent Family Payment is not payable outside of the State subject to (EC) Regulation 647/2005 (Miscellaneous Amendments 2003) amending Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72. A person should notify the Department if leaving the State and payment will be suspended for the period of the absence abroad. Payment may be made in certain circumstances for a short period (up to 3 weeks) during which a person is temporarily outside the State e.g. on holidays etc. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more detail. Direct Provision Accommodation Where a client resides in accommodation provided by the Directorate for Asylum Seeker Services of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Direct Provision Accommodation), the customer is paid a designated rate of Supplementary Welfare Allowance by the Health Service Executive. When a customer applies for One-Parent Family Payment, the value of Direct Provision is assessed as means in determining the entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment . However, such a person would normally not satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition HRC (See Habitual Residence Condition guideline). Where a customer subsequently leaves Direct Provision and becomes entitled to a standard Supplementary Welfare Allowance, s/he may qualify for an increased rate of One-Parent Family Payment subject to satisfying HRC. Illness/Hospital Stays Arrangements may be made for payment where a person is too ill to attend Post Office to cash payment. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more details. Imprisonment A person is disqualified from receiving One-Parent Family Payment including any increases, for any period of penal servitude, imprisonment or detention in legal custody. There are some exceptions to this disqualification i.e. increase for a qualified child may be paid to another person. See " Payment Methods" guideline for more detail. Certification of ongoing entitlement Social Welfare legislation puts the onus on a person to notify the Department of any changes in circumstances which may affect entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment. Any increase in means/income must be notified to the Department in writing within 7 days of the increase. On being notified of an award of One-Parent Family Payment, a person is issued with a list of circumstances which could affect their continued entitlement to the payment. The person is requested to advise the Department of any such changes in circumstances. In addition, persons are advised on an ongoing basis of circumstances which must be notified to the Department as follows: Persons paid by Electronic Information Transfer and Electronic Fund Transfer are advised once a year, by post, of the conditions of continued payment and of the circumstances and events which must be reported to the Department. The following are some circumstances and events which may affect a person's entitlement to payment:- - Change in claimant means/income. - Change of address. - Change of Post Office/Bank. - Death of claimant or qualified child - A qualified child no longer living or being maintained by claimant. - Where there is a younger child in a family who satisfies the age requirements of the scheme a qualified child who reaches reaching 18 years of age (or between 18 and 22) and not continuing in full-time education. - Imprisonment or detention of claimant or qualified child. - Claimant or qualified child leaves the State. - Change in household composition including the birth of an additional child - Cohabitation with another person - Marriage/Civil Partnership or re-marriage/new civil partnership - If spouse/civil partner if the parent of the child/ren /other parent of child begins/resumes maintenance payments or if a Court Maintenance Order is enforced - If spouse/civil partner returns to live with claimant - If spouse/civil partner is released from prison (in the case of prisoner's spouse payment) Failure to notify the Department of any of the above events may result in overpayment of One-Parent Family Payment which may be recoverable from the recipient by way of lump sum repayment or deductions from weekly payment. It may equally result in an underpayment of One-Parent Family Payment e.g. where means have reduced. See " Overpayment Recovery" guideline and " Claims and Late Claims" guideline for more detail. Review A review is initiated when the Department is notified of any change in circumstances that may affect entitlement. This review may be carried out by way of a visit from a Social Welfare Inspector or by direct correspondence or phone contact. Periodic reviews are also initiated by the Department to confirm that the appropriate payment is being made to the appropriate person and that the qualifying conditions for receipt of One-Parent Family Payment continue to be fulfilled. Suspension/Revocation/Reduction of Payment Where initial enquiries with a person, including written communication, fail to establish the facts as required e.g. current or past means, current address etc. payment of One-Parent Family Payment may be suspended in whole/part until the relevant information has been provided by the claimant. Where the facts have been established, following a review of the qualifying conditions for payment of One-Parent Family Payment, and where a Deciding Officer deems that the qualifying conditions are no longer fulfilled, the claimant will be so advised in writing. There will be a right of appeal against this decision, as referred to already in this guideline. See also " Decision-Making" guideline for further information regarding revised decisions. If an overpayment of One-Parent Family Payment has occurred it may be recoverable by the Department. See " Overpayment Recovery" guideline for more detail. Credited Contributions Credited contributions are awarded to a Lone Parent who qualified for Lone Parents Allowance or One-Parent Family Payment for the first time since October 1990 and who, immediately prior to qualifying for the receipt of these payments was in receipt of another social welfare payment which attracted credits i.e. Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance, Maternity Benefit, Illness Benefit, Health and Safety Benefit, Adoptive Benefit, Invalidity Benefit or Pre Retirement Allowance. Credited contributions are not awarded for periods prior to the introduction of the Lone Parent Allowance scheme in October 1990. See " Credits Award" guideline for more general information. Appendix 1 Efforts Guideline for Separated Lone Parents Requirement to make appropriate efforts to obtain maintenance One of the qualifying conditions for entitlement to One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) for separated claimants is that they make appropriate efforts in the particular circumstances to obtain maintenance from their spouse. Even after award of OFP to a separated (or unmarried) person s/he may be required to make continued efforts to seek maintenance. [NOTE: Notwithstanding these efforts obligations on individual OFP claimants, the Department may pursue the liable relatives involved directly, under the "Liability to Maintain Family" provisions of the Social Welfare Acts, for a maintenance contribution towards the OFP in payment to their spouses and/or child (ren) and to their civil partners where one civil partner who is the parent of the child/ren is living apart from the family] The efforts obligation on OFP claimants applies as follows: Spouse/civil partner working and current address known If the spouse/civil partner only where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren is working and the claimant has not succeeded in obtaining maintenance from him/her the claimant should: - approach the Local District Court Clerk with a view to taking out a maintenance summons - attach a copy of the maintenance summons to the claim form or give a copy to the Social Welfare Inspector when s/he calls to interview him/her or - provide proof that claimant and spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) are involved in structured mediation which includes negotiations about the financial support of the claimant and qualified children Whereabouts of spouse/civil partner unknown If claimant does not know whereabouts of spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren), s/he may be required to provide evidence that s/he has tried to trace their spouse /civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) e.g. proof that s/he had reported him/her missing to the Garda� If claimant thinks spouse/civil partner is resident in another country Claimant may be requested to ask the DSS (in the case of the UK) to help trace their spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) with a view to serving a maintenance summons, or to initiate proceedings through the Central Authority (the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform) designated in the Maintenance Act 1994, which covers reciprocal maintenance action in EU and a number of other countries. The Efforts condition is regarded as being satisfied: - if the separated couple is involved in a structured mediation process which addresses the spouse/civil partner's (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) liability to maintain the claimant and qualified children (for example, attending the Family Mediation Service). - if spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) is working in this country or abroad and the claimant approaches the District Court Clerk and requests that a maintenance summons be served on him or her; - if the claimant takes the spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) to court for maintenance - if the claimant can't trace the spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) and has made an effort to do so, for example by reporting them as missing to the Garda� etc. - if the spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) is in receipt of SW payment only, the claimant is not required to take any action. - if current income of the spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) is too low to reasonably expect that any maintenance payment can be made - if evidence is available to prove allegations that spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) is violent and that there is a consequent risk to the claimant in the event of further contact. The Efforts condition is regarded as not being satisfied: - if the claimant refuses to involve themselves in mediation which could address, among other things, financial support from their spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) - if the claimant refuses or fails to make any efforts to trace their spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren); - if the claimant refuses or fails to take the spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren) to court for maintenance, or varying order, where spouse/civil partner has an adequate source of income and his/her address is known; - where inadequate or unreasonable maintenance is in payment, given the circumstances of the other spouse/civil partner (where the civil partner is the parent of the child/ren). Appendix 2 - One-Parent Family Payment Guidelines on Efforts Condition for Unmarried Claimants Note: All references to he and she in these guidelines are inter-changeable where appropriate. Article 10 of the One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) Regulations (SI 426/96) states that an unmarried person shall make "such reasonable efforts, as may be required from time to time by an officer of the Minister, to obtain maintenance from a liable relative". The efforts condition is not a qualifying condition for new applicants. Unmarried claimants are not required to make efforts in order to qualify for OFP. The condition applies to new claims received after 1 May 1997, and will be applied after the payment is awarded. Unmarried claimants are already asked on the claim form to state the name of the other parent of their child. Where the name of the other parent appears on a birth certificate for the child, this will be noted by the Department. If the name of the other parent is not supplied in this way, the Social Welfare Inspector, at investigation stage, will ask the OFP applicant to name the other parent of the child. The Social Welfare Inspector will outline to the claimant the reason for asking the name of the other parent- i.e. that the other parent will become a liable relative when the OFP is in payment, and will then be required to contribute, if in a financial position to do so, towards the maintenance of the child- either directly to the claimant or to the Department. The Social Welfare Inspector will inform the OFP claimant that she will be required to make efforts to obtain maintenance from the other parent of the child, in respect of the child, when the OFP is awarded. The Social Welfare Inspector will also ask the OFP claimant to supply any other available relevant details about the other parent which would be necessary for subsequent follow-up action- such as his address, date of birth, PPS no., occupation, place of employment, earnings, whether he is already paying maintenance or whether he has agreed to do so. When an applicant's OFP claim is awarded, the other parent of the child becomes a liable relative under Social Welfare law and may be required - depending on his/her financial circumstances - to contribute to the Department towards the cost of the OFP payable to the first parent and the child. In situations where the liable relative pays maintenance directly to the applicant, the Department will assess that maintenance as means (subject to housing cost disregards) in deciding the rate of OFP payable. The liable relative's liability to contribute to the Department may be offset, in whole or in part, by any maintenance he is paying directly to the other parent of the child and which is being assessed as means for the purposes of an OFP claim. Follow up Action When payment of OFP is awarded, the claimant will be notified that she is required to make efforts to seek maintenance from the other parent of their child and to inform the Department of the outcome of these efforts. If the claimant has not already succeeded in obtaining maintenance from the other parent, following the award of the payment of the OFP, the claimant will be asked by the Department to:- (a) Name the other parent of the child (if he is not already named), and state his date of birth, address and current employment if known, (b) Contact the liable relative and ask him to pay maintenance in respect of the child, (c) Forward a copy of the maintenance summons to the Department, (where claimant has already obtained a maintenance summons), or (d) provide proof that claimant and liable relative are involved in structured mediation which includes negotiations about the financial support of the qualified child/children. Progress on these efforts will be monitored by the Department. If such maintenance efforts are not successful, and if she has not already obtained or sought a maintenance summons, the Department may require the claimant to approach the Local District Court Clerk with a view to taking out a maintenance summons. If the OFP recipient does not make such efforts as are reasonably required by the Department to seek maintenance, she must explain to the Department why she is not doing so. The question of requiring unmarried OFP recipients to make efforts to get maintenance from the liable relative will be decided by the Department on the individual circumstances of the case, taking due account of any sensitive issues involved, such as a risk of violence towards the one-parent family involved. However, where an OFP recipient does not co-operate in making efforts to seek maintenance when it would be feasible and reasonable to do so, she may be disqualified from receiving One-Parent Family Payment. In certain cases, for example where the liable relative does not co-operate with the maintenance efforts of the OFP claimant, the Department may contact the liable relative directly concerning maintenance contributions. This may also occur if it appears that the liable relative is not contributing sufficiently in accordance with his/her current financial situation. Whether by the efforts of the OFP claimant, or by direct action by the Department with the liable relative concerned, the amount of maintenance sought from the other parent will be in line with District Court maintenance norms in respect of children. The assessment of the ability of the liable relative to make such contributions will be carried out by the Department in accordance with the "Liability to Maintain Family" provisions of the Social Welfare Acts. Retention/Destruction of Files Documents in respect of an application for payment are retained and are not destroyed until the expiration of two complete calendar years after the year of death of the claimant. A random sample of 10% of files due to be so destroyed are retained for archival purposes in accordance with the National Archives Act.
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Rialacha Chun cáiliú don Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora: - Tá tú faoi bhun 66 bliana d'aois (Is féidir leat pinsean Stáit a éileamh ó 66 bliana d'aois amach.) - Ní mór duit bheith i do thuismitheoir, leastuismitheoir, tuismitheoir uchtaíoch nó caomhnóir dlíthiúil linbh cháilithe - Caithfidh tú bheith mar an bpríomhchúramóir do leanbh amháin cáilithe, ar a laghad, agus ní mór don leanbh sin cónaí leat Níl an Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora iníoctha má tá coimeád cothrom ag na tuismitheoirí i gcomhair linbh nó leanaí - Ní mór duit €425 nó níos lú a bheith á thuilleamh agat sa tseachtain - Ní mór duit tástáil mhaoine a shásamh - Ní mór duit gnáthchónaí bheith ort in Éirinn - Ní féidir leat bheith i do chónaí le céile, le páirtnéir sibhialta nó bheith ag comháitiú Má tá tú scartha, colscartha nó má rinneadh do pháirtnéireacht shibhialta a dhíscaoileadh, caithfidh: - Go bhfuil tú i do chónaí in áit eile seachas le do chéile/pháirtnéir sibhialta ar feadh 3 mhí ar a laghad - Go ndearna tú iarrachtaí ar chothabháil a fháil ó do chéile nó páirtnéir sibhialta (más é/í do pháirtnéir sibhialta tuismitheoir an linbh/na leanaí) - Nach bhfuil cothabháil acmhainneach á déanamh ag do chéile duit (más é/í do pháirtnéir sibhialta tuismitheoir an linbh/na leanaí) Má tá do chéile nó do pháirtnéir sibhialta sa phríosún: - Caithfidh sé/sí tréimhse phríosúnachta ós cionn sé mhí ar a laghad a bheith gearrtha air/uirthi, nó sé mhí ar a laghad a bheith caite aige/aici faoi choimeád. Mura raibh tú pósta le tuismitheoir do linbh/leanaí, ní gá duit cothabháil ón tuismitheoir eile a lorg nuair a éilíonn tú an ITA den chéad uair. Caithfidh tú iarrachtaí a dhéanamh chun cothabháil a fháil, áfach, ón tuismitheoir eile le leanúint de bheith incháilithe don ITA. Tá tuilleadh faisnéise ar fáil maidir le céard atá i gceist le tuismitheoirí scartha agus le tuismitheoirí neamhphósta a dhéanann iarracht chun cothabháil a fháil. Féach freisin 'Dliteanas Teaghlach a Chothabháil' thíos. Cothabháil Meastar ioncam iomlán ó chothabháil mar acmhainn. Áirítear cothabháil duitse agus cothabháil chugatsa le haghaidh duine ar bith de do leanaí araon anseo. Má fhaigheann tú cothabháil ó níos mó ná duine amháin cuirfear é go léir le chéile agus measfar an t-iomlán mar acmhainn. Áfach, féadfar d'aisíocaíocht cíosa nó morgáiste d'uasmhéid €95.23 sa tseachtain a fhritháireamh in aghaidh íocaíochtaí cothabhála. Ansin meastar leath an fhuílligh mar acmhain. Ní mór duit fianaise a thabhairt ar d'íocaíochtaí cíosa nó morgáiste. Tá tuilleadh eolais ar fáil faoi conas cothabháil a mheas mar acmhainn. Dliteanas Teaglach a Chothabháil Tá dualgas ar fhir agus ar mhná, de réir dlí, cothabháil a íoc le chéile, le pháirtnéir sibhialta nó le chomhchónaitheoir atá cleithiúnach agus le haon leanbh cleithiúnach nach gcónaíonn leo. Tugtar 'gaolta faoi dhliteanas' ar na daoine seo. Más gaol faoi dhliteanas thú agus má theipeann ort dóthain cothabhála a íoc le do chéile, do pháirtnéir sibhialta nó do chomhchónaitheoir agus/nó do leanbh cleithiúnach/leanaí cleithiúnacha, ní mór duit ranníocaíocht a dhéanamh as costas na hÍocaíochta Teaghlaigh Aontuismitheora, a íoctar le do theaghlach. Déanfaidh an tAonad Aisghabhála Cothabhála na Roinne Coimirce Sóisialaí teagmháil leis an ngaol faoi dhliteanas mura mbíonn dóthain cothabhála íoctha aige/aici, nuair a dheonaítear an Íocaíocht Teaghlaigh Aontuismitheora. Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh leis an tAonad Aisghabhála Cothabhála ag (071) 96 72599 chun a thuilleadh eolais a fháil. Is féidir leat freisin faigh amach tuilleadh faoi ‘Dhliteanas Teaglach a Chothabháil’. Íocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheora agus Rialacha an AE Ó 5 Bealtaine 2005 ar aghaidh, ní bheidh ar na dreamanna seo a leanas: Saoránaigh an AE, saoránaigh LEE agus náisiúnaithe de chuid na hEilvéise atá fostaithe nó féinfhostaithe in Éirinn, agus atá ag íoc ranníocaíochtaí le Córas Árachais Sóisialta na hÉireann na critéir ghnáthchónaithe a chomhlíonadh le bheith incháilithe don íocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheora. Íocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheora agus Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe Má bhí ort aistriú ó Shochar Banchéile Thréigthe go hÍocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheoira ionas go bhféadfá páirt a ghlacadh ar Scéim Fostaíochta Pobail, féadfaidh tú iarratas a dhéanamh anois go dtabharfaí an Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe ar ais duit. Cé nach dtugtar an Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe d'iarratasóirí nua a thuilleadh íoctar fós é leo siúd a bhí i dteideal é a fháil roimh 2 Eanáir 1997. Tá uasráta íocaíochta níos airde i gceist i gcás Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe ná mar atá i gcás Íocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheora. Má tá tú i dteideal an Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe a thabhairt ar ais duit d'fhéadfá a bheith i dteideal riaráistí a fháil ar ais freisin. Aoisteorainn do leanbh cáilithe Chun Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora a fháil, ní mór duit ar a laghad leanbh cáilithe amháin a bheith agat faoin aoisteorainn chuí. Ón 2 Iúil 2015 tá an aoisteorainn 7 mbliana. Eisceachtaí leis na haoisteorainneacha Liúntas Cúram Baile Má tá Liúntas Cúram Baile (DCA) á fháil agat do leanbh, leanfaidh an ITA go dtí go mbainfidh an leanbh 16 bliana amach agus gur féidir leo iarratas a dhéanamh ar Liúntas Míchumais. Ina theannta sin, gheobhaidh tú méadú do Leanbh Cáilithe (MLC) d’aon leanaí eile atá sa teaghlach go dtí go mbainfidh siad 18 mbliana d’aois amach (nó 22 bliain má tá siad ag plé le hoideachas lánaimseartha) fad a bhíonn an LCB (agus an ITA) á íoc. Bás céile, páirtnéara nó páirtnéara shibhialta Más éilitheoir nua thú agus má tá tú i do thuismitheoir leat féin de bharr go bhfuair do chéile, do pháirtnéir nó do pháirtnéir sibhialta bás, is féidir leat an ITA a fháil ar feadh 2 bhliain ó dháta an bháis nó go dtí go mbainfidh do leanbh is óige 18 bliana amach. Íocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheora agus Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe Má bhí ort aistriú ó Shochar Banchéile Thréigthe go hÍocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheoira ionas go bhféadfá páirt a ghlacadh ar Scéim Fostaíochta Pobail, féadfaidh tú iarratas a dhéanamh anois go dtabharfaí an Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe ar ais duit. Cé nach dtugtar an Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe d'iarratasóirí nua a thuilleadh íoctar fós é leo siúd a bhí i dteideal é a fháil roimh 2 Eanáir 1997. Tá uasráta íocaíochta níos airde i gceist i gcás Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe ná mar atá i gcás Íocaíocht do Theaghlach Aon-Tuismitheora. Má tá tú i dteideal an Sochar Banchéile Thréigthe a thabhairt ar ais duit d'fhéadfá a bheith i dteideal riaráistí a fháil ar ais freisin. An Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora agus obair Is féidir leat oibriú agus an Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora a fháil. Braitheann méid na híocaíochta ar d’ollmhaoin sheachtainiúil. Neamhaird ar ioncam - Ní chuirtear san áireamh (nó tugtar neamhaird ar) an chéad €110 de d’olltuillimh sheachtainiúla. Ciallaíonn seo gur féidir leat a mhéid agus €110 a thuilleamh sa tseachtain agus cáiliú don Íocaíocht iomlán Teaghlach Aontuismitheora. - Déanfar measúnú ar leath fhuílleach d’olltuilleamh chuig a mhéid agus €425 sa tseachtain mar mhaoin. Má thuilleann tú idir €110 agus €425 sa tseachtain, d’fhéadfá cáiliú d’íocaíocht laghdaithe. Léirítear i Leabhrán SW 19 – Rátaí Íocaíochta Leasa Shóisialaigh an méid den ITA atá iníoctha i dteannta do mhaoine. Tá sé beartaithe chun an neamhaird ar ioncam don ITA a laghdú níos mó sna ceithre bliana amach romhainn. Ní chuirtear san áireamh ranníocaíochtaí árachais shóisialta, ranníocaíochtaí aoisliúntais/ÁSPC agus síntiúis cheardchumainn agus measúnú á dhéanamh ar thuillimh. Ní mór do d’olltuillimh, áfach, bheith faoi bhun €425 sula gceadófar aon asbhaintí. Tacaíochtaí breise D'fhéadfá cáiliú don Fhorlíonadh Ioncam Teaghlaigh (FIT), má bhíonn tú ag oibriú ar a laghad19 n-uaire sa tseachtain. Is féidir leat leanúint agus an Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora a éileamh agus ní chuirfear d’íocaíocht FIT san áireamh mar mhaoin. Faigh amach níos mó faisnéise faoin bhForlíonadh Ioncam Teaghlaigh. Más mian leat bheith féinfhostaithe, d’fhéadfá cáiliú don Liúntas Fiontraíochta um Fhilleadh ar Obair. Má tá do phá ó obair laghdaithe D’fhéadfá bheith i dteideal méadú a fháil ar d'Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora má tá do phá laghdaithe. Chun méadú a fháil ar d’Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora, seol duillín reatha pá (a léiríonn do phá laghdaithe) le litir ó d’fhostóir, a dheimhníonn do chás nua oibre, chuig an Oifig Leasa Shóisialaigh a dhéileálann le d’éileamh. Má tá do phá laghdaithe agus má tá Forlíonadh Ioncam Teaghlaigh (FIT) á fháil agat, fanfaidh d'íocaíocht FIT mar an gcéanna. Má laghdaítear an líon uaireanta a oibríonn tú sa tseachtain faoi 19 n-uaire (38 uair sa choicís) níl tú i dteideal an FIT a fháil níos mó. Ba cheart duit an rannóg FIT a chur ar an eolas má thiteann an líon uaireanta a oibríonn tú faoin íosmhéid a theastaíonn. D’fhéadfá bheith i dteideal méadú a fháil ar d’Fhorlíonadh Cíosa. Má tá cóiríocht ar cíos agat ó údarás áitiúil nó ó chomhlachas tithíochta, ba cheart duit teagmháil a dhéanamh leo lena dheimhniú an bhfuil tú i dteideal laghdú a fháil ar do chíos. Mura bhfuil cárta leighis nó cárta cuairte LG á fháil agat, ba cheart duit a dheimhniú an gcáilíonn tú anois dóibh. Ranníocaíochtaí creidiúnaithe Má tá Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora á fáil agat agus má ghlacann tú am saor ón obair i ndiaidh gur saolaíodh leanbh leat, gheobhaidh tú ranníocaíochtaí creidiúnaithe. Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora agus oideachas nó oiliúint Beidh ort a mheas cibé acu is tairbhiúla duit – aistriú ón Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora chuig an Liúntas um Fhilleadh ar Oideachas nuair a fhilleann tú ar oideachas nó fanacht agus d'íocaíocht reatha a fháil agus iarratas a dhéanamh ar dheontas mac léinn. Léigh níos mó faoi inár gcáipéisíocht ar íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh agus ar dheontais mhac léinn. Is féidir leat tabhairt faoi chúrsa oiliúna FET agus d’Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora a choimeád. Déanfar do ITA a laghdú, áfach, de bharr go ndéanfar do liúntas oiliúna FET a mheasúnú ina leith mar ioncam. Ní bhfaighidh tú bónas oiliúna €20 sa tseachtain, mura bhfuil tú ag leanúint ar aghaidh tar éis 12 mhí a chaitheamh ar Scéim FP nó ar chlár Tionscnamh Jabanna. Má tá tú i dteideal na hÍocaíochta Teaghlach Aontuismitheora a fháil bunaithe ar aois an linbh is óige sa teaghlach, leanfaidh íocaíocht Mhéadaithe do Leanbh Cáilithe (MLC) do leanaí eile sa teaghlach go dtí go mbainfidh siad 18 mbliana d’aois amach (nó 22 bliain má tá siad ag plé le hoideachas lánaimseartha). Conas iarratas a dhéanamh Ba cheart duit Foirm OFP1 a íoschóipeáil agus a chomhlánú (pdf). Líon isteach an fhoirm agus cuir ar ais í leis na cáipéisí cuí tacaíochta chuig an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí ag an seoladh thíos. Más baintreach thú, ba cheart duit iarratas a dhéanamh taobh istigh de 3 mhí ó bhás do chéile. Muna bhfuil tú pósta, ba cheart duit iarratas a dhéanamh taobh istigh de 3 mhí ó bhreith do linbh. Má tá tú scartha/colscartha, ba cheart duit iarratas a dhéanamh taobh istigh de 6 mhí ó dháta an scartha ó do chéile. Ní mór duit a bheith scartha ar a laghad ar feadh 3 mhí roimh duit a bheith in ann iarratais a dhéanamh. Más céile príosúnaigh thú, ba cheart duit iarratas a dhéanamh: - nuair atá do chéile faoi choimeád ar feadh ar a laghad 6 mhí gan téarma a bheith gearrtha fós air/uirthi nó - nuair a chuireann do chéile tús lena t(h)éarma sa phríosún, nach mór a bheith ar feadh ar a laghad 6 mhí. Beidh áthas ar an bhfoireann san oifig áitiúil leasa shóisialaigh cúnamh a thabhairt duit an fhoirm iarratais a chomhlánú agus aon cheisteanna atá agat a fhreagairt. Féadfar an Íocaíocht Teaghlaigh Aontuismitheora a íoc leat trí íocaíocht dhíreach le do bhanc nó is féidir leat do Chárta Seirbhísí Sóisialacha a úsáid ag oifig an phoist chun do chuid airgid a bhailiú. Nuair a fhaigheann tú do Chárta Seirbhísí Sóisialacha, sínigh ar an gcúl é agus coinnigh in áit shábháilte é. Is féidir leat leas a bhaint as an Scéim Bhuiséadta Teaghlaigh chun cabhrú leat do chuid billí a bhainistiú má tá an Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora á fáil agat. D’fhéadfá freisin a bheith i dteideal sochar eile ar nós Liúntas Breosla, Forlíonadh Ioncam Teaghlaigh, an Scéim Liúntais Leasa Fhorlíontaigh nó cárta leighis. Má mheasann tú gur diúltaíodh thú go héagórach Íocaíocht Teaghlach Aontuismitheora a fháil, nó mura bhfuil tú sásta le cinneadh a rinne Oifigigeach Cinnidh Leasa Shóisialaigh faoi do theidlíochtaí, tá sé de rogha agat an cinneadh seo a acomharc.