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Internal Guidelines used in processing claims Table of contents PART 1: ENTITLEMENT Description of Scheme Information Leaflet Legislation Regulations Administration Processing of claims Qualifying Conditions in Summary - THE CARER Qualifying Conditions in Summary - PERSON BEING CARED FOR QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IN DETAIL - THE CARER Employment condition Interpretation of Remunerative Employment Contribution Conditions Relevant Tax Year Insurance contributions from other EU Member States Volunteer Development Workers Non-resident care situations Carer must be caring for the person full-time Carer must not work over 15 hours a week Carer or the person to whom care is being provided must not be resident in an institution Carer must be fit to care QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IN DETAIL- PERSON BEING CARED FOR Person to whom care is being provided must be so incapacitated as to need full-time care and attention Attend for medical examination Person for whom a Domiciliary Care Allowance is in payment DISQUALIFICATIONS Six week disqualification Failure to attend for medical examination Absence from the state Imprisonment RATES STRUCTURE Respite Care Grant Payment after death of a Care Recipient OVERLAPPING PROVISIONS Constant Attendance Allowance Carer's Allowance Prescribed Relatives Allowance CARER'S LEAVE PART 2: CLAIMS, INVESTIGATION AND DECISION PROCEDURES Claims Documentation Offences Late Claims Investigation of claim Decisions Date of award Possible entitlement to Carer's Leave/Carer's Allowance where Carer's Benefit is refused Appeals PART 3: PROCEDURES FOLLOWING AWARD Payment Day Duration of payment Maintenance Notification of change Absence from the State EXCEPTIONS Illness/Hospital stay REVIEW Suspension of payment Revocation of payment Retention of files/Documents CREDITS PART 1: ENTITLEMENT Description of scheme Carer's Benefit is a payment made to insured people who have recently left the workforce and who are looking after certain people in need of full-time care and attention. It is payable for a period of 2 years for each care recipient and may be claimed over separate periods up to a total of 2 years. The Scheme was introduced on 26 October 2000. Information Leaflet: Carer's Benefit - SW 49 Legislation The main legislative provisions relating to Carer's Benefit is contained in Chapter 14 of Part 3 of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as amended by section 7 of the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Act 2006 and S.I. 142 of 2007. Regulations The main Regulations relating to Carer's Benefit are contained in Chapter 3A of Part II of the Social Welfare (Consolidated Payment Provisions) Regulations, 1994 (S.I. 417 of 1994) (inserted by S.I. 340 of 2000) as amended and S.I.132 of 2002. EC Regulation 647/2005 (Miscellaneous Amendments 2003) amending Regulations 1408/71 and 574/72. Administration The scheme is administered by the Social Welfare Services Office, Ballinalee Road, Longford. Processing of Claims Carer's Benefit claims are processed on a standalone computer system. A record of the claim appears on Central Records enquiries on Infosys. However, enquiries regarding payment details are only available by contacting Carer's Benefit Section directly. Qualifying Conditions in Summary - CARER A Carer must have given up work to care for a person(s) who is in need of full time care and attention and fulfil certain PRSI contribution conditions. A Carer must also - have been employed for at least eight weeks,whether consecutive or not, in the previous 26 week period for a minimum of 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight; - satisfy the PRSI contribution conditions; - be caring for the person on a full-time basis; - not be employed or self-employed outside the home for more than 15 hours per week; - not be living in a hospital, convalescent home or other similar institution; - be fit to care. Qualifying Conditions in summary - PERSON BEING CARED FOR The person being cared for (referred to in the legislation as the Relevant Person) must: - be so incapacitated as to require full-time care and attention from another person. QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IN DETAIL- THE CARER Employment condition The Carer must have been employed in full-time employment for at least eight weeks, either consecutive or not, in the 26 week period immediately prior to the commencement of the Carer's Benefit claim. Full-time employment in this context is defined as insurable employment for at least 16 hours per week or 32 hours per fortnight. This condition does not need to be satisfied on a second or subsequent claim where a person was in receipt of Carer's Benefit within the previous 26 weeks. Interpretation of Remunerative Employment (Administrative Arrangements) Persons who have been on Annual/Maternity/Adoptive/Parental or Term-time leave immediately prior to becoming a carer will be eligible for Carer's Benefit. The leave period will be disregarded so that the 26 week period to be assessed (to find 8 weeks of remunerative full-time insurable employment, whether consecutive or not) will be the period prior to that leave. Where persons have been on sick leave it will be necessary for them to submit a medical certificate of fitness. The 26 week period assessed (to find 8 weeks of remunerative full-time insurable employment, whether consecutive or not) will be the 26 week period before the sick leave period commenced. Where a person has been on sick leave on a number of occasions, it may be necessary to go back 2 or more periods which taken together, amount to a period of 26 weeks. Contribution conditions Only PRSI contributions paid in Classes A, B, C, D, E, H count. For a first claim the Carer must have: - 156 PRSI contributions paid since entry into insurance AND EITHER - 39 contributions paid in the "Relevant Tax year" or 39 contributions paid in the 12 months immediately before the commencement of the Carer's Benefit claim or 26 contributions paid in the "Relevant Tax year" and 26 contributions paid in the "Relevant Tax year". For second and subsequent claims the Carer does not need to satisfy the contribution conditions afresh. Relevant Tax Year (RTY) The Relevant Tax Year(also referred to as the Governing Contribution Year) is the second last complete tax year before the Benefit Year in which benefit is claimed. The qualifying PRSI contributions conditions for Carer's Benefit are determined on the basis of the "first day for which benefit is claimed" and not by the date on which the claim is received e.g. A claim received in December 2006 claimimg benefit on a date in January 2007, the RTY is based on the date in January 2007. The benefit year starts on the first Monday in January each year. Insurance contributions from other EU Member States Periods of insurance completed in another EU Member State may be taken into account to be extent to meet the PRSI contributions. Volunteer Development Workers Volunteer Development workers are required to have a total 156 paid PRSI contributions. They do not have to fulfil the requirement to have contributions paid in the Governing Contribution Year or in the 12 months immediately before commencement of the Carer's Benefit claim or have been employed for 8 weeks in the previous 26 week period. They must take up Carer's Benefit immediately on cessation of Volunteer Development work. Non- Resident care situations The following guidelines will apply when eligibility for Carer's Benefit is being considered for a non-resident carer. - A carer must be providing full-time care and attention. - A carer's personal circumstances must be suitable to allow him/her to provide full time care and attention. - All non-resident care situations will require investigation by a Social Welfare Inspector. - A direct system of communication must exist between the carers residence and that of the care recipient. This may be a telephone or alarm type system. - The care recipient must not already be receiving full-time care and attention within his/her own residence from another person. - Only one Carer's Benefit will be payable in respect of any one caring situation. Carer must be caring for the person on a full-time basis A Carer may continue to be regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a person while either s/he, or the person being cared for, is undergoing medical or other treatment in a hospital or other institution for a period not longer than 13 weeks. A Carer may also continue to be regarded as providing full-time care and attention where the person being cared for is attending a non-residential course of rehabilitation training, or a non-residential day care centre approved by the Minister for Health. A Carer may attend an educational or training course or participate in voluntary or community based activity for *10 hours a week, provided adequate provision is made for the care of the person in his/her absence. (see Note) Carer must not work outside the home over *15 hours a week in employment or self employment. A Carer may, with the prior permission of the Department, engage in employment or self-employment outside the home for up to *15 hours per week. The cared for person must be adequately cared for in the Carer's absence. ( Note: A Carer may not work outside the home for more than *15hours a week and also attend an educational or training course/participate in voluntary or community based activity for 15 hours a week). A Carer may engage in limited self-employment or outwork within the home provided the care recipient continues to receive full-time care and attention. The weekly income in respect of employment and self-employment must not exceed �332.50. Carer or Person being Cared for must not be resident in an Institution. For the purposes of Carer's Benefit, the legislation defines institution as meaning "a hospital, convalescent home or home for persons suffering from physical or mental disability or accommodation ancillary thereto, and any other similar establishment providing residence, maintenance or care for persons therein." Carer must be fit to Care Claimants for Carer's Benefit who are in receipt of an illness-related payment (e.g. Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit, Disablement Benefit or Invalidity Pension) at the time of making the claim may be asked to submit medical evidence confirming that they are capable of providing full-time care and attention. QUALIFYING CONDITIONS IN DETAIL - PERSON BEING CARED FOR Person being cared for must be so incapacitated as to need full-time care and attention A person is regarded as requiring full-time care and attention when s/he has such a disability that s/he requires from another person: - Continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him/herself or - Continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with his/her normal personal needs, for example help to walk and get about, eat or drink, wash, bathe, dress, etc. The degree of medical incapacity and the expected duration of incapacity must be certified by a medical doctor. Attend for Medical Examination A person being cared for must attend for and submit him/herself to a medical examination by a Medical Assessor of the Department if requested to do so. Person for whom a Domiciliary Allowance is in payment Where a Domiciliary Care Allowance is being paid in respect of the the person being cared for no medical certification is required. DISQUALIFICATIONS Six Week Disqualification A person who has claimed Carer's benefit for less than 6 weeks for a care recipient will be disqualified from receiving Carer's Benefit for the same care recipient for a period of 6 weeks. Failure to attend for medical examination Carer's Benefit will cease to be paid if the care recipient for whom the benefit is being paid, fails without good cause to attend for or to submit him/herself for any medical examination that may be required. Absence from the State A person is not entitled to Carer's Benefit while absent from the State. However Carers may take holidays of up to 3 weeks in a year and receive payment. Imprisonment Where the Carer or the cared for person is undergoing penal servitude, imprisonment or detention in legal custody, the statutory "full time care" requirement is not satisfied during the detention period. Carer's Benefit is not payable in respect of this period. RATES STRUCTURE Payment is made up of a personal rate and an increase for a qualified child/ren, where appropriate. A person caring for two or more people will receive an additional 50 percent of the personal rate. Increase for a Qualified Child is payable - up to age 18, or - where the child is over 18 and in full-time education up to the age of 22, or up to the end of the academic year after his/her 22nd birthday. See separate Guidelines on " Dependents" for more detail on Increase for a Qualified Child. Half the standard Increase for a Qualified Child is payable where the Carer is living with a spouse/civil partner/cohabitant. For rates of payment see "Social Welfare Rates of Payment" SW 19 which is updated each year. Respite Care Grant The annual Respite Care Grant is payable to Carers on the first Thursday in June each year. This grant is at a fixed amount (currently �1700.00) and those caring for more than one person are entitled to a Respite Grant of �1700.00 for each person they are caring for (subject to certain conditions) Payment after Death of a Care Recipient A person in receipt of Carer's Benefit will be entitled to six weeks payment following the death of the care recipient. A Bereavement Grant may also be payable. (See full description of this scheme in the separate " Bereavement Grant" guidelines.) OVERLAPPING PROVISIONS Carer's Benefit is not payable concurrently with another payment from the Department (other than Child Benefit and Disablement Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme). See separate guidelines on "Overlapping Benefits" If the Carer's spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is in receipt of a payment from the Department, which included an increase in respect of him/her as a dependent, the increase on the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant's social welfare payment is not payable from the date the Carer's Benefit is awarded. Constant Attendance Allowance Carer's Benefit will not be paid in a case where the person being cared for is in receipt of Constant Attendance Allowance as an increase in a Disablement pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme. (For further information on this Allowance see separate guidelines " Disablement Benefit" in the OCCUPATIONAL INJURIES BENEFIT Folder) Carer's Allowance Carer's Benefit is not payable where a Carer's Allowance or Half Rate Carer's Allowance is being paid. (See full description of this scheme in the separate guidelines for " Carer's Allowance" ) Prescribed Relatives Allowance A Prescribed Relative allowance will cease to be payable to a care recipient or a relative, as the case may be, where the relative qualifies for Carer's Benefit in respect of that care recipient. (This Allowance was replaced by Carer's Allowance in 1990 except for existing recipients.) CARER'S LEAVE Carer's Leave legislation was introduced by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (ET&E) on 2 July 2001 to allow for temporary unpaid leave from employment in tandem with with Carer's Benefit for employees who satisfy certain conditions. The duration of Carer's Leave was extended to two years with effect from 24 March 2006 and is provided for under sections 6,7, 8 of the Carer's Leave Act 2001, as amended by section 48 and Schedule 9 of the Social Welfare Law Reform and Pensions Act 2006. The Carer's Leave Act is proper to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and enquiries relating to Carer's Leave are dealt with by the Employment Rights Information Unit, in that Department: phone no. (01) 6312121 or Lo Call from outside (01) area: 1890 220222 ext 3131. E-mail address: erinfo@entemp.ie A person may qualify for Carer's Leave even if they do not qualify for Carer's Benefit. See Part 2: CLAIMS, INVESTIGATION AND DECISION PROCEDURES. PART 2: CLAIMS, INVESTIGATION AND DECISION PROCEDURES Claims The Carer's Benefit claim form CARB1 should be completed in full and signed by the Carer and the person being cared for, in all cases. An application should be made eight weeks before the claimant intends to leave employment in order that his/her eligibility can be assessed prior to leaving employment. The claimant is required to give his/her full name, address, date of birth, Personal Public Service Number (PPS No.), details of spouse/civil partner/cohabitant, and details of the person being cared for. Details of qualified child/ren, for whom an increase is being claimed, should also be given. Where either the Carer or the person(s) being cared for are unable to sign the claim form, his/her mark should be witnessed. The claimant should have his/her employer complete, sign and stamp the relevant section of the form in relation to employment and certification of Carer's Leave. The medical report on the care recipient should be completed and signed by a registered Medical Practitioner. On receipt of the claim, it should be date stamped, registered on the computer system and an acknowledgement showing PPS number should be issued. The claimant should be advised to quote his/her PPS number in any future contact with the Department regarding Carer's Benefit. Depending on financial circumstances, a person may claim Supplementary Welfare Allowance from a Health Service Executive, while awaiting a decision on entitlement to Carer's Benefit. Documentation The claimant must produce all necessary certificates, documents, information and evidence as required, including P45 (if resigning from employment) in support of the claim. Where any doubt arises as to whether a claimant is capable of looking after the care recipient (e.g. the claimant has been in receipt of Disability Allowance, Illness Benefit, Disablement Pension or Invalidity Pension) s/he may be required to provide medical evidence that s/he is capable of providing the required care and attention. A Deciding Officer may not be in a position to decide on entitlement until all requested documentation has been received in the Department. 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 benefit, or benefit at a higher rate. A person found guilty of such an offence could be liable to a fine or a term of imprisonment or both. Any overpayment of pension would also be repayable to the Department. Late Claims A late claim will be accepted for up to eight weeks after caring has commenced where an emergency caring situation has arisen and the claimant had to take up caring duties immediately. A claim later than eight weeks may be accepted at the discretion of the Deciding Officer where s/he considers there was good cause throughout the period of delay, but payment cannot be made in respect of a period more than 6 months prior to the date of claim. Good cause may be shown to exist where wrong information received from the Department prevented a person making a claim to Carer's Benefit at the correct time. See the separate guidelines on ' Claims and Late Claims' for further information on late claims and other circumstances in which backdated payment of the benefit or increases for qualified child/ren may be made. Investigation of Claim The medical report on the care recipient is referred to the Department's Chief Medical Advisor for an opinion on whether full time care and attention is required in accordance with Carer's Benefit Legislation. The claimant's PRSI contributions record is checked with Client Data Services. Where the details furnished with the claim are insufficient to decide the claim, e.g. full-time care and attention, residence, or cessation of employment are not satisfactorily evidenced, further enquiries are made, either by correspondence with the claimant or by referring the file containing the claim form and supporting documentation to a Social Welfare Inspector for the area where the claimant lives. Decisions When all the relevant details are available, the claim is referred to a Deciding Officer for decision. See separate Guidelines on " Decision-Making and Natural Justice" . A pre-decision letter is issued in cases where the claimant will satisfy the qualifying conditions subject to cessation of employment and immediate commencement of caring. The claimant is required to have his/her employer confirm that he/she has been granted Carer's leave for a given period or that the claimant has resigned from employment. The claimant is required to sign a declaration to the effect that he/she is ceasing /has ceased employment on a certain date and will immediately commence/has commenced providing care to the relevant person(s) concerned. The claimant will be required to declare that there has been no change in circumstances previously declared in respect of the claim. This is known as a supplementary claim. On receipt of the supplementary claim a written notification of the decision is issued to the claimant. Where Carer's Benefit is refused a written notification of the decision is also issued and the claimant is given information regarding the right of appeal. Any decision of a Deciding Officer may be subsequently revised by a Deciding Officer in the light of new facts or new evidence. There is also a right of appeal against a revised decision. See separate Guideline on " Revised Decisions" Date of Award Carer's Benefit is awarded from the Thursday following cessation of employment for the purpose of caring duties (immediately on cessation of employment). Where the caring situation has commenced earlier than the application for Carer's Benefit, payment will be awarded from the Thursday following the date of commencement of the caring situation, subject to the normal provisions in regard to laate claims. See paragraph on " Late Claims" Possible entitlement to Carer's Leave/Carer's Allowance where Carer's Benefit is refused. In cases where Carer's Benefit is refused because the PRSI contribution conditions are not met or where the claimant has not met the employment conditions (for Carer's Benefit) but the person to whom care is being provided is considered to require full-time care and attention as defined in Carer's Benefit legislation, the claimant is advised at the decision stage of a possible entitlement to Carer's Leave (see separate paragraph on Carer's Leave) and to Carer's Allowance (which is subject to a means test and conditional on the person being cared for needing full-time care and attention for at least 12 months). The claimant is also advised of his/her entitlement to credited employment contributions (credits) should he/she decide to avail of Carer's Leave only. On return to work, the claimant should arrange with his/her employer to make an application for Carer's Leave credits (see separate paragraph on CREDITS). Appeals A person who is dissatisfied with the Deciding Officer's decision may appeal the decision. The appeal should be made in writing to the Chief Appeals Officer, Social Welfare Appeals Office, D'Olier House, Dublin 2, within 21 days of notification of the Deciding Officer's decision, stating the grounds of appeal. When notified of such an appeal, a statement is prepared on the facts relied on by the Deciding Officer in making the decision and on the extent to which the facts and contentions advanced by the appellant are admitted or disputed. This statement is sent with the file to the Appeals Office. Where the grounds of appeal put forward by the claimant are in conflict with previous statements made by the claimant or with the facts/evidence considered by the Deciding Officer, the file may be referred to a Social Welfare Inspector for further enquiry before completing the statement. 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. The notification of the revised decision should request the claimant to advise whether s/he is satisfied with the revised decision or wishes to pursue the appeal. If the appeal is satisfied, the Appeals Office must be notified accordingly. PART 3: PROCEDURES FOLLOWING AWARD Payment Day Carer's Benefit is paid weekly in advance on Thursday by direct payment by way of Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT), where the payment is lodged directly into the claimant's Bank or Building Society Account (NOT a mortgage account). An alternative method of payment by PDT can be arranged for those who do not have a Bank/Building Society account. Payment in this case is made into a Post Office and the claimant collects payment by way of a Social Welfare Services Card(Swipe Card). Any arrears of payment may be included in the normal method of payment. (See separate " Payment Methods" guideline for more information). Duration of payment Carer's Benefit is payable to a Carer for a period of 2 years for each care recipient. This may be claimed as a single continuous period or in separate time periods subject to a minimum of 6 weeks for any given period.(See paragraph re Disqualifications where a person claims Carer's Benefit for less than 6 weeks). In the case where a carer is providing care concurrently to more than one person the 2 year entitlement in respect of each recipient may overlap. An overlap could occur where a Carer is providing care to one person and six months later they commence caring for another person. Each care recipient is entitled to a total of 2 years care. A Carer could apply for Carer's Allowance after the 2 years of Carer's Benefit has expired if the care recipient(s) is still in need of full-time care and attention (see separate Guidelines on Carer's Allowance for more details). If the person being cared for dies, Carer's Benefit continues to be payable for 6 weeks afterwards. See separate Guidelines on " Payment Methods" for full details of the circumstances in which payments after death are made. Maintenance When a claim is awarded a start date and stop date should be inserted on the payment system. The stop date should be the earliest of the following: - 2 years from date of commencement of payment, or the date to which the carer has been granted Carer's Leave (if it is for a period of less than 2 years). - date when increase for a qualified child is to be discontinued (i.e. at age 18, or if over 18 three months after date of completion of third level education up to age 22). See separate Guidelines on " Dependents" for more detail regarding qualified child/ren. Other stop dates are inserted for review purposes e.g. medical reviews. Notification of change With the notification of award, the Carer should be given a list of circumstances and events (as follows) which may affect entitlement to the allowance, and advised of the obligation to notify any such change. - Carer returns to work - Death of person(s) being cared for - Change of address of Carer or person being cared for - Change of Bank/Building Society or Post Office. - The Carer or the person being cared for leaves the State. - Person being cared for goes into hospital or institutional care - Carer goes into hospital - Carer no longer providing full-time care and attention. - Death of a qualified child. - A qualified child no longer living with or being maintained by the Carer. - A qualified child under 22 years who terminates full-time education. - The Carer or the person being cared for goes to prison. Appropriate action should be taken when notified of any such change. If notified initially by phone, the claimant should be asked to send in confirmation of the change in writing. Failure to notify the Department of any of the above events may result in an overpayment of Carer's Benefit which may be recoverable from the Carer by way of lump sum repayment or weekly deductions. See separate Guidelines on " Overpayment Recovery" . The effective date of payment where an increase in benefit (e.g. an increase for an additional child) would normally be decided by reference to legislative and other provisions in relation to late claims - see at Part 2 above and separate Guidelines on " Claims and Late Claims" and "Revised Decisions". Absence from the State Carer's Benefit is not payable outside of the State. A Carer should notify the Department if leaving the State and payment will normally be suspended for the period of absence abroad. EXCEPTIONS: Payment may be made in certain circumstances for periods during which a Carer is temporarily outside of the State. Carer's Benefit may be paid for up to 3 weeks if the recipient is abroad on a respite break. Carer's Benefit may also be paid where the carer accompanies the care recipient abroad for approved medical treatment for his/her existing incapacity. The Department must be notified in advance of departure. Payment within the EU Carer's Benefit may be paid to a carer resident in any country within the EU who is providing full-time care and attention to another person(s) in that country, provided the qualifying conditions have been met in relation to the Carer's Benefit legislation. Illness/Hospital stay A Carer may continue to be regarded as providing full-time care and attention to a pensioner while s/he or the person being cared for is undergoing medical treatment in a hospital or other institution for a period not longer than 13 weeks. REVIEW A review is initiated when the Carer notifies the Department of any changes in his/her circumstances or in the circumstances of the person(s) being cared for or if a medical review of the person being cared for is required. A fresh medical report may be required or the care recipient may have to attend for a medical examination. A review may be carried out by way of a visit by a Social Welfare Inspector, or by direct correspondence with the Carer. Periodic reviews are also initiated by the Department to confirm that Carer's Benefit is correctly in payment and that the Carer continues to fulfil the qualifying conditions. Suspension of payment Where the Carer fails to provide the required information following written communication, and there is reason to doubt continued entitlement to benefit, payment of Carer's Benefit may be suspended in whole or in part until the relevant information has been provided by the Carer. The Carer should be informed in writing of the reason for the suspension of payment. Revocation of payment Where the report following a review of the qualifying conditions for payment of Carer's Benefit indicates that the qualifying conditions are no longer satisfied, the Carer will be so advised in writing. The letter will outline the relevant elements of the report and the conditions for receipt of the Carer's Benefit and the Carer will be given 21 days to comment. If new evidence or fresh information is advanced by the Carer, the Deciding Officer will re-examine the case. If, however, no new information is advanced or that advanced is considered by the Deciding Officer to have no material bearing on the case, the Deciding Officer will make a decision revising entitlement or revoking the benefit entirely, as appropriate. There will be a right of appeal against this decision, as referred to already in this guideline. If an overpayment of Carer's Benefit has occurred it may be recoverable by the Department. See separate Guidelines on " Overpayment Recovery" . See also separate Guidelines on " Decision-Making" and "Revised Decisions" in relation to principles of Natural Justice and Revised Decisions. CREDITS Credited employment contributions (credits) are awarded to recipients of Carer's Benefit for each week of benefit at the same rate as the claimant's last paid contribution. Details of credits are transmitted by the Carer's Benefit computer system to Central Records upon closure of a claim. Those who avail of Carer's Leave only are entitled to credits on cessation of a period of Carer's Leave. An application form for Carer's Leave Credits is enclosed with the decision letter (on refusal of Carer's Benefit where there may be an entitlement to Carer's Leave) and the claimant is advised on return to work to arrange with his/her employer to have the application form completed and submitted directly to Client Eligibility Services, Department of Social Protection, McCarter's Road, Ardarvan, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, IRELAND. Retention of files/Documents As Carer's Benefit is a relatively new scheme, all files/records and translists are still on site in Longford. Under Dept. of Finance guidelines, all files and translists must be retained for 6 years. Files over 6 years will be retained where: - There is an outstanding overpayment, - Benefit has not been exhausted (full 2 year entitlement has not been claimed in respect of a care recipient who is not deceased).
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Sula líonfaidh tú an fhoirm iarratais, tóg beagáinín ama chun an mhír seo a léamh, le do thoil. Agus sinn ag plé le hiarratas ar an Sochar Cúramóra, is féidir go mbeidh orainn measúnú a dhéanamh ar an riocht ina bhfuil suas le triúr (an cúramóir, céile/páirtnéir sibhialta/ comhchónaitheoir an chúramóra agus an duine dá dtugtar aire). Beidh orainn a oibriú amach an gcáileoidh tú don Sochar Cúramóra de bhun do Thaifid Árachais Shóisialaigh. Chomh maith leis sin, caithfimid scrúdú a dhéanamh ar riocht sláinte an duine dá dtugtar aire chun gur féidir linn cinneadh a dhéanamh an bhfuil gá aige/aici le cúram agus aire lánaimseartha. Thairis sin, caithfear gur deimhin linn go gcuireann tú, an cúramóir, cúram agus aire lánaimseartha ar fáil agus go bhfuil ar do chumas é a dhéanamh. Ciallaíonn sé seo go gcaithfear a lán eolais mhionsonraithe a lorg uait ar an bhfoirm iarratais. Roimh duit cromadh ar an bhfoirm iarratais a líonadh agus a chur chugainn, ba chóir duit na treoracha i dtosach na foirme a léamh go haireach agus iad a leanúint. Ba chóir duit an seicliosta i gcuid 9 den fhoirm a léamh go haireach chun a chinntiú go bhfuil na ceisteanna go léir freagartha agat agus go bhfuil na teastais agus na cáipéisí go léir is gá agat. Iarratas i leith an dara duine dá dtugtar aire Má fhaigheann tú an Sochar Cúramóra cheana agus má tá iarratas á dhéanamh agat anois ar liúntas níos mó toisc go dtugann tú aire don dara duine, ní gá duit teastais a chur chugainn arís. Más mar sin é, líon an fhoirm iarratais ina hiomláine agus scríobh go soiléir ar bharr na foirme iarratais, “Iarratas i leith an dara duine - níl teastais faoi iamh”. Tá an fhoirm iarratais roinnte sna codanna seo a leanas. Baineann Cuid 1 le do shonraí pearsanta. Sínigh an dearbhú nuair a bheidh an fhoirm líonta, le do thoil. Má thagann athrú ar do dhálaí tar éis an Sochar Cúramóra a bheith bronnta ort, caithfidh tú é seo a chur in iúl dúinn sa Roinn láithreach. Baineann Cuid 2 leis na sonraí de d’obair agus de d’éileamh. Tugann Cuid 3 liosta den dá rogha íocaíochta is féidir a dhéanamh maidir leis an Sochar Cúramóra. Baineann Cuid 4 leis na sonraí de d’obair agus ní mór do d’fhostóir is déanaí nó d’fhostóir reatha an chuid seo a líonadh agus stampa a chur uirthi. Baineann Cuid 5 leis na sonraí de do leanbh/leanaí cáilithe. Baineann Cuid 6 leis na sonraí de do chéile, do pháirtnéir sibhialta nó do chomhchónaitheoir. Baineann Cuid 7 leis na sonraí d’obair agus d’éileamh do chéile, do pháirtnéara shibhialta nó do chomhchónaitheora, agus a (h)acmhainn san áireamh. Ní mór duit an chuid seo a líonadh freisin más mian leat méadú a éileamh do leanbh cáilithe. Cumhdaíonn Cuid 8 na sonraí den duine nó de na daoine dá dtugann tú aire. Is ionann Cuid 9 agus an seicliosta is ceart duit a léamh roimh duit d’iarratas a chur isteach. Nóta Má thugann tú aire do bhreis agus beirt, cuir in iúl dúinn é, le do thoil, mar is féidir go bhfaighidh tú Deontas Cúraim Fhaoisimh ina leith. Ba chóir duit foirm CARB 2 a líonadh agus í a chur chuig an seoladh ar lch. 10. Is féidir leat foirm CARB 2 a fháil ar www.welfare.ie nó ó d’Oifig Leasa Shóisialaigh áitiúil. Baineann Cuid 10 leis na teastais dochtúra don duine nó do na daoine dá dtugtar aire. Má thugann tú aire do dhuine atá faoi bhun 16 bliana d’aois agus má fhaigheann tú Liúntas Cúraim Bhaile, ní gá duit tuairisc dhochtúra a chur chugainn ag an bpointe seo. Cuimhnigh ar gach teastas agus gach cáipéis a bhaineann le hábhar a chur faoi 12 iamh le d’iarratas.