http___www.welfare.ie_ga_Pages_Household-Benefits.aspx_1.xml
1.1 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.1 7.1 8.1 9.1 10.1 11.1 12.1 13.1 14.1 15.1 16.1 17.1 18.1 19.1 20.1 21.1 22.1 23.1 24.1 25.1 26.1 27.1 28.1 29.1 30.1 31.1 32.1 33.1 34.1 35.1 36.1 37.1 38.1 39.1 40.1 41.1 42.1 43.1 44.1 45.1 46.1 46.2 47.1 48.1 49.1 50.1 50.2 51.1 52.1 52.2 53.1 54.1 54.2 54.3 55.1 56.1 57.1 58.1 59.1 60.1 61.1 62.1 63.1 64.1 65.1 66.1 67.1 68.1 69.1 70.1 71.1 72.1 73.1 74.1 75.1 76.1 77.1 78.1 79.1 80.1 81.1 82.1 82.2 83.1 84.1 85.1 86.1 87.1 88.1 89.1 90.1 90.2 91.1 92.1 92.2 93.1 94.1 95.1 96.1 97.1 98.1 99.1 100.1 101.1 102.1 103.1 104.1 105.1 106.1 107.1 108.1 109.1 110.1 110.2 110.3 111.1 112.1 113.1 114.1 115.1 116.1 117.1 118.1 119.1 120.1 121.1 122.1 123.1 124.1 125.1 126.1 126.2 127.1 127.2 128.1 129.1 130.1 131.1 131.2 132.1 133.1 134.1 135.1 136.1 136.2 136.3 137.1 138.1 139.1 140.1 141.1 141.2 142.1 143.1 144.1 145.1 146.1 147.1 148.1 149.1 150.1 150.2 151.1 152.1 153.1 154.1 154.2 155.1 155.2 156.1 157.1 157.2 158.1 159.1 160.1 161.1 162.1 162.2 163.1 164.1 165.1 166.1 167.1 168.1 168.2 169.1 169.2 170.1 171.1 172.1 173.1 174.1 175.1 176.1 177.1 178.1 179.1 180.1 181.1 182.1 183.1 184.1 185.1 186.1 188.1 189.1 190.1 191.1 192.1 193.1 194.1 194.2 194.3 195.1 196.1 197.1 198.1 198.2 199.1 200.1 201.1 201.2 202.1 203.1 203.2 203.3 204.1 205.1 206.1 207.1 207.2 208.1 209.1 210.1 210.2 211.1 212.1 213.1 213.2 214.1 214.2 214.3 215.1 215.2 216.1 217.1 218.1 219.1 220.1 221.1 222.1 223.1 224.1 225.1 225.2 226.1 227.1 228.1 228.2 229.1 230.1 231.1 232.1 232.2 233.1 234.1 235.1 236.1 237.1 238.1 239.1 239.2 240.1 241.1 241.2 241.3 241.4 242.1
INTERNAL GUIDELINES USED IN ADMINISTERING SCHEMES COMPRISING THE HOUSEHOLD BENEFITS PACKAGE: - ELECTRICITY ALLOWANCE - CASH ELECTRICITY ALLOWANCE - NATURAL GAS ALLOWANCE - CASH GAS ALLOWANCE - FREE TELEVISION LICENCE INDEX Electricity Allowance. Cash Electricity Allowance. Natural Gas Allowance Cash Gas Allowance. Free Television Licence. Applicants aged 70 or over Applicants in receipt of full time Carer's Allowance should note that from the 1 April 2012, you must be living with the person that you are getting full time Carer’s Allowance for. Applicants aged between 66 and 70 Applicants under age 66 List of Qualifying payments and excepted household members for persons aged under 70 Concessions a) Electricity Allowance How it's paid Change of address / What's not covered b) CashElectricity Account How it's paid c) Natural Gas Allowance How it's paid/What's covered Changes of Address d) Cash Gas Allowance How it's paid/What's covered What's not covered How to claim How it's renewed Free Television Licence (only) entitlement Completing the Application Form(s) Where to send it to Applicants in receipt of a Social Security Pension Applicants 66 to 70 not in receipt of a qualifying Pension Widowed/Surviving Civil Partner applicants aged 60 65 Household composition Medical Certification Copy of a recent utility bill Treatment of applications for backdating of the Household Benefits List of countries covered by EC regulations and those countries which Ireland has a bilateral or social security agreement SCHEME INFORMATION DESCRIPTION OF HOUSEHOLD BENEFITS PACKAGE ELECTRICITY/GAS ALLOWANCE The Electricity/Gas Allowance has four different options, depending on the applicant's circumstances. An eligible person can only be in receipt of one of the four options at any given time. a) Electricity Allowance The Electricity Allowance provides cash credit of €35.00 monthly on the bill. b) Cash Electricity Allowance If the applicant has an electricity slot meter or if the registered consumer of electricity at their address is a landlord, they may alternatively qualify for a Cash Electricity Allowance of €35.00. The landlord must provide written confirmation that the applicant is a tenant; paying his/her energy bills and provide the MPRN/GPRN of address tenant is residing at. c) Natural Gas Allowance The Natural Gas Allowance is an alternative to the Electricity Allowance for people whose homes are connected to a Natural Gas supply. This cash credit of €35.00 will be automatically applied to your bill. d) Cash Gas Allowance The Gas Cash Allowance is awarded provided the applicant satisfies a number of qualifying conditions including proof that they are the registered consumer on the energy bills. In a landlord/tenant situation where the utility bill is in the landlord’s name, the landlord must provide written confirmation that the applicant is a tenant, paying his/her energy bills and provided the MPRN/GPRN of address tenant is residing at. The Cash Gas Allowance is also payable, if the applicant's home is not connected to an electricity or natural gas supply but they otherwise satisfy the conditions of the scheme. FREE TELEVISION LICENCE Qualified persons are entitled to a Free Television Licence from the next renewal date of their licence following award of the allowance. LEGISLATION The Electricity/Gas range of schemes are non-statutory, having been introduced and extended by Ministerial Order. ADMINISTRATION The Schemes are administered by Household Benefits Section, in the Social Welfare Services Office, Sligo. QUALIFYING CONDITIONS SUMMARY OF QUALIFYING CRITERIA: Applicants Aged 70 or over or applicants in receipt of a Full Time Carer's Allowance (Applicant’s in receipt of Full Time Carer’s allowance should note that from the 1 April 2012, you must be living with the person that you are getting Full Time Carer’s Allowance for) or who are the nominated carer of a person in receipt of a Constant Attendance Allowance or Prescribed Relatives Allowance: - Applicant must be legally resident in the State. AND - No other person in their household can be in receipt of the allowance. AND - The applicant must be the registered consumer of electricity/gas if s/he is applying for an Electricity Allowance or Natural Gas Allowance. AND - The applicant must register for the Public Services Card when requested to do so by the Department. Applicants aged BETWEEN 66 AND 70: In addition to the conditions that apply to applicants aged 70 or over ( as listed above): Applicants aged UNDER 66: In addition to the conditions that apply to applicants aged 70 or over as listed above: QUALIFYING PAYMENTS FOR PERSONS AGED BETWEEN 66 AND 70: (from Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection) - State Pension (Contributory)/(Transition) - State Pension (Non-Contributory) - Widow's/Widower's/Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension - One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife's Benefit / Allowance or Prisoner's Wife's Allowance, or - an ORDINARY Garda Widow's Pension (from Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform) - a Social Security Pension/Benefit from a country covered by EC Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement. [See Appendix II for details] QUALIFYING PAYMENTS FOR PERSONS AGED UNDER 66 YEARS: (from Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection) - Invalidity Pension , or - Disability Allowance, or - Blind Person's Pension, or - Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation, with Disablement Pension, for at least 12 months, or (from a foreign Social Security Agency) - a Social Security Invalidity Pension/Benefit or equivalent payment for at least 12 months, from a country covered by EC Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement. [See Appendix II for details] - Disability Living Allowance with Severe Disablement Allowance for at least 12 month [United Kingdom] Note: Irish Army veterans on an army disablement pension do not qualify for Household Benefits from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. Similarly a foreign army disablement pension paid to veterans who are resident in Ireland is not a qualifying payment for the purposes of the Household Benefits Package. EXCEPTED PEOPLE FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE ELECTRICITY/GAS ALLOWANCE: An applicant, who is not aged 70 or over or who is not in receipt of a Full Time Carer's Allowance must reside alone or only with the following excepted people: - a Qualified Adult*. AND/OR - dependent child(ren) under age 18 or under age 22 if in full-time education (a certificate from the school / college must be supplied for those aged 18 or over), AND/OR - a person who is so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months (medical certification may be required), AND/OR - a person(s) who would qualify for the allowance in his/her own right (for example, a person getting an Old Age Pension), AND/OR - a person who is providing constant care and attention**** to any member of the household who is so incapacitated as to require constant care and attention for at least 12 months (medical certification must be supplied as applicable). * An applicant's spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is regarded as being a "Qualified Adult" if the applicant is receiving an increase for a qualified adult with his/her payment or would have received an increase but for the fact that s/he is in receipt of a Social Welfare payment in his/her own right. ** Child(ren) under age 18 cannot be considered dependent if they are in receipt of a social welfare payment in their own right. ***Incapacited members of the household may be in receipt of a non qualifying payment, provided that the medical conditions are satisfied. ****People in employment for more than 15 hours per week or receiving Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance cannot be accepted as providing constant full time care and attention. A LIVING ALONE INCREASE is payable to people who are living alone and receiving one of a number of specified payments from this Department (Application forms are available from any Office of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, or Post Office). CONCESSIONS A widow/widower/surviving civil partner aged between 60 and 65 years, whose late spouse/civil partner received an Electricity/Gas allowance and/or Free T.V. licence from this Department, may qualify for the Household Benefits Package (i.e. all three schemes) if s/he otherwise satisfies the conditions as outlined above, and receives one of the payments below. Where a widow/widower/surviving civil partner is also in receipt of ½ rate Disability Benefit this will not prevent him/her from qualifying for the Household Benefits Package. Please note that if your late spouse/partner was in receipt of the Household Benefits, this payment ceases on their death. surviving spouse/partner who is in receipt of a qualifying payment or who is over 66, must re-apply for the Household Benefits package in their own name. Note: where the surviving spouse/surviving civil partner was the person in receipt of the allowance(s) they can retain the Household Benefits package provided that the conditions for receipt of the allowance remains satisfied and they receive one of the payments below. (from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection) - State Pension (Transition) (payable at age 65), - Widow's/Widower's/Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory or Non-Contributory Pension, - One-Parent Family Payment (Widows/Widowers), - Widow's Pension or Dependent Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefits Scheme. (from a foreign Social Security Agency) - an equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from a country covered by EC Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement. (from the Department of Justice) - an ORDINARY Garda Widow's Pension. NOTE: Documentary evidence that the applicant's late spouse received the pension claimed may be requested. A person who receives Disability Allowance (DA) or Blind Pension, may retain Electricity/Gas Allowance, if held, on transfer to a Back To Work Allowance (BTWA) for the duration of the BTWA payment. (BTWA schemes typically last for 2 years for most transferees, but may last for 4 years for people in designated Partnership Areas, who take up self-employment). A person who receives Invalidity Pension, Disability Allowance or Blind Pension, may retain Electricity/Natural Gas Allowance, if held, on transfer to another primary long term Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payment (excluding Jobseeker's Benefit/Allowance, Illness Benefit and Pre-Retirement Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment and Carer's Benefit or as a Qualified Adult on their spouse/civil partner/co-habitant’s payment). A person who transfers from any primary payment (and had an entitlement to Household Benefits) to receive an Increase for Qualified Adult (IQA) on their spouses/civil partner/cohabitant’s DEASP payment, will lose their entitlement to Household benefits. ELECTRICITY/GAS ALLOWANCE DETAILS a) ELECTRICITY ALLOWANCE How is the Allowance paid? Electricity Allowance is paid as a €35.00 monthly credit on a customer's electricity bill where possible. If this is not possible, the allowance will be paid on the 1 st Tuesday of each month to the customer's nominated financial institution or Post Office. What does the Allowance cover? The Electricity Allowance is an energy allowance of €35.00 monthly. What if a person receiving Electricity Allowance changes address? When a person receiving a Electricity Allowance changes address, the allowance ceases to apply to the electricity account for his/her previous address. To re-qualify for the scheme, a new application must be made (using the standard form HB1). This is because entitlement has to be re-assessed. If, at the new address, the conditions for receiving the allowance continue to be satisfied, the allowance will be re-awarded. What does the Electricity Allowance not cover? The allowance does not cover: - the cost of installing an electricity supply in the home, and - the extra standing charges applied in (e.g. storage heating). The allowance cannot be awarded where the applicant is not the registered consumer of electricity for his/her home. If this is the case, s/he should arrange with the supplier to become the registered account holder before making application for the allowance. The allowance cannot be paid at more than one address (This also applies to the other optional Electricity/Gas allowances). b) CASH ELECTRICITY ALLOWANCE The Cash Electricity Allowance may be awarded where the applicant is living in a flat or apartment where: - s/he has an electricity slot meter OR - there are a number of separate electricity meters operating from one ESB meter, and the registered consumer of electricity is a landlord OR - there are no separate meters, but the registered consumer of electricity for the dwelling is a landlord. The allowance is paid on the 1st Tuesday of each month to an account in a nominated financial institution or at a nominated post office using a public services card. The customer must provide details of their preferred payment method on Part 4 of the application form ( HB1). Note: If a customer is paid through a post office, using a public services card, the allowance must be collected before the next monthly payment is due. c) NATURAL GAS ALLOWANCE How is the Allowance paid? Natural Gas Allowance is paid as a €35.00 monthly credit on a customer's gas bill where possible. If this is not possible, the allowance will be paid on the 1 st Tuesday of each month to the customer’s nominated financial institution or Post Office. When an application for Natural Gas Allowance is approved, the effective date of award of the allowance is based on the date of receipt of the application form. The allowance will appear on the second gas bill the applicant receives after that date and will include any arrears due. What if a recipient of Natural Gas Allowance changes address? As with Electricity Allowance, following a change of address, the Natural Gas Allowance ceases to apply at the recipient's old address. To re-qualify, where s/he continues to satisfy conditions at the new address, s/he must re-apply using form HB1. As with the Electricity Allowance, applications received within 6 months may be backdated to the date the allowance ceased at the old address, otherwise the allowance is applied from the application date. d) CASH GAS ALLOWANCE How is the Allowance paid? If the applicant's home is NOT connected to an electricity/natural gas supply, but s/he would otherwise satisfy the conditions of the Electricity/Gas Allowance scheme, s/he may qualify for a Bottled Gas (Refill) Allowance. The allowance of €35.00 is paid on the 1st Tuesday of each month to an account in a nominated financial institution or at a nominated post office using a public services card. The customer must provide details of their preferred payment method on part 3 of the application form ( HB1). Note: If a customer is paid through a post office, using a public services card, the allowance must be collected before the next monthly payment is due. FREE TELEVISION LICENCE DETAILS A person who is awarded the Electricity/Gas Allowances is entitled to a Free Television Licence from the next due renewal date of his/her current Television Licence. The Electricity/Gas Allowance award letter has a detachable Free Television Licence, which remains valid as long as the applicant continues to receive the Household Benefits Package. Free Television Licence (Only) Entitlement The Electricity/Gas Cash Allowance is awarded provided the applicant satisfies a number of qualifying conditions including proof that they are the registered consumer on the energy bills. In a landlord/tenant situation where the utility bill is in the landlord’s name, the landlord must provide written confirmation that the applicant is a tenant paying his/her energy bills and provide the MPRN/GPRN of address tenant is residing at. However, if the applicant otherwise satisfies the conditions for getting either allowance, they will still qualify for a Free TV Licence (only). Application should be made using form HB1 WHEN AND HOW TO APPLY FOR THE FREE SCHEMES Applications for the Household Benefits Package should be made on application form HB1 as soon as a person: - reaches age 70 OR - is awarded a full time Carer's Allowance ( Applicant’s should note that from the 1 April 2012, you must be living with the person that you are getting full time Carer’s Allowance for) OR - is awarded a qualifying payment and satisfies that other conditions as outlined Please note that if your late spouse/partner was in receipt of the Household Benefits, this payment ceases on their death. surviving spouse/partner who is in receipt of a qualifying payment or who is over 66, must re-apply for the Household Benefits package in their own name. The completed application form and copies of utility bills etc should be returned to: Household Benefits Section, Social Welfare Services Office, College Road, Sligo. LoCall Telephone: 1890 50 00 00 If calling from outside the Republic of Ireland please call +353 91 7157100 Note: The rates charged for using 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers. APPLICATION GUIDELINES Application form and information booklet Before completing the application form applicants should read the information booklet SW107. The application form HB1 is included with SW107. This is a 4 page form and should be completed for all applications for Household Benefits Package. If the applicant is receiving a Social Security Pension Persons whose pension is not paid by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection must submit documentary evidence in respect of their pension. If the applicant, aged between 66 and 70 years, is not receiving a Social Security Pension If application is being made on a means test basis, a separate means assessment form will be issued. This must be completed in full by the applicant and returned along with all required documentation. If the applicant is married, or living with a partner as husband and wife, details of his/her Spouse/Partner's income and capital must also be given, with supporting documentation as required. Questions relating to Household Composition All other questions on the form relating to those who reside in the household, their source of income etc. must be answered. School attendance certificate(s) for any child(ren) aged between 18 and 22 years, in full time education, must be provided. Medical Certification Where the applicant is aged under 70 years (and not a Carer), Medical Certification in respect of incapacitated people (other than the spouse) in the household must be provided. The medical details must be completed by the patient's Doctor on a special medical form which can be obtained from the Free Schemes Section. The certificate should be fully completed, signed and stamped by the Doctor. Include a copy of a recent bill When returning the completed application form the applicant MUST include a copy of a recent electricity bill, if applying for an electricity allowance, OR a copy of a recent gas bill, if applying for a natural gas allowance. SAFE Registration SAFE registration, and the subsequent issue of a Public Services Card, have been introduced to protect people’s identity and to help save time and effort in accessing a range of public services. You must authenticate your identity with the Department by undergoing SAFE registration when requested to do so. APPENDICES APPENDIX (I) - PROCEDURES IN RELATION TO BACKDATING ON APPEAL New Regulations were enacted on 25 May, 2000 on backdating payment of late claims for all schemes except OACP,RP, WCP, OCP, UA, UB and SWA. [The Social Welfare (Consolidated Payments Provision)(Amendment)(No. 8)(Late Claims) Regulations, 2000 (S.I. No. 159 of 2000)]. Provisions for backdating of Household Benefits (Electricity/Gas Allowance and Free Television Licence) applications have been aligned with the new Regulations. In the case of the Household Benefits, evidence of good cause for a late claim will be required. An application for Household Benefits may be backdated for a maximum of six months where there is an underlying entitlement and where the person applies for HHB within 6 months of the primary payment being awarded, provided all other conditions of the scheme are met and the customer has not changed address during this period. If the person has changed address, proof of entitlement will be required. If a client applies for HHB within 6 months of their 70th Birthday, then we can backdate to their 70th birthday providing all other conditions of the schem are met and the customer has not changed address during this period. If the person has changed address, proof of entitlement will be required. If a person applies outside 6 months of their 70th Birthday, no backdating will apply. In certain circumstances a backdate may be made for a period in excess of six months. The period may be extended where the delay in making the claim is due to ? - Incorrect information given by the Department; or - the person being so incapacitated that s/he was unable to pursue the claim; or - a force majeure. For more detailed information on how these are defined , please go to claim and late claims guidelines http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Claims-and-Late-Claims.aspx. NOTE: Extension of the late claims payment period under these Regulations applies only where the person has an underlying entitlement for the period for which the benefit is claimed. A number of concessions which will apply to backdating claims received from Household Benefits recipients are detailed below. REQUESTS FOR BACKDATES FROM PERSONS WHO WERE NOT IN RECEIPT OF FREES BEFORE TRANSFERRING BECAUSE THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ENTITLEMENT Backdate requests in such cases should be treated in accordance with the above provisions. LIVING ALONE INCREASE IN PAYMENT FOR SOME TIME OR RETROSPECTIVELY AWARDED If a Household Benefit claim has been made within 6 months of the Living Alone Allowance being granted, then the Household Benefit claim should be backdated. However if the Living Alone Allowance claim has been granted more than 6 months ago, the Household Benefit claim should only be granted from a current date. WHERE PENSION IS BACKDATED In cases where a pension is backdated by the Department the Household Benefits may also be backdated to that date, provided that there was an underlying entitlement to them for that period. If a client applies for Household Benefits within 6 months of their 70th Birthday, then the Department backdate to their 70th birthday. If a person applies outside 6 months of their 70th Birthday, no backdating will apply. PAYMENT REINSTATED ON APPEAL Where a client wins an appeal against a decision to terminate/suspend their Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection payment, which has also resulted in the termination of their Household Benefits, the Allowances can be backdated in full. FREES TERMINATED ON ENTRY TO NURSING HOME On entry to a Nursing Home a client loses entitlement to Household Benefits from the end of the billing period in which they entered the Nursing Home. If they return home and re apply for the schemes within six months the schemes can be backdated to the date that the schemes were terminated. If the client returns home and re applies for the schemes more than six months after they were terminated the schemes may be backdated to the date they returned home OR for up to six months, whichever is the shorter. SHORT HOSPITAL STAYS A customer may continue to be regarded as residing in their permanent address while they are temporarily undergoing medical treatment in a hospital for a period not longer than 13 consecutive weeks. POSTHUMOUS CLAIMS A posthumous claim for Household Benefits is not considered. REQUEST FOR BACKDATE OF ONE SCHEME A request for backdating of one of the Household Benefits will be taken as a request to examine possible entitlement to all elements e.g. a request for backdating of Electricity/Gas Allowance will be taken as a request to examine possible entitlement to backdating of Free Television Licence. Again, all conditions for each scheme must be satisfied and proof of purchase of TV licence must be furnished. REFUND OF TV LICENCE TV Licences are refunded by HHB section when the client has purchased a TV licence which covers the period within which they were awarded from. The TV licence is an annual payment and is refunded in full if the licence is purchased in this period. The customer requests a refund for the licence by submitting the licence paid for or proof of purchase. There are no refunds for part of the year. If a client has purchased a TV licence on a date after their claim was processed, then they must request a refund from An Post.
1.1 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 5.2 6.1 7.1 7.2 8.1 9.1 10.1 11.1 12.1 13.1 14.1 14.2 15.1 16.1 16.2 17.1 18.1 19.1 20.1 21.1 22.1 23.1 24.1 25.1 26.1 27.1 28.1 29.1 30.1 31.1 32.1 33.1 34.1 35.1 36.1 37.1 38.1 39.1 40.1 40.2 41.1 41.2 42.1 43.1 44.1 45.1 46.1 47.1 48.1 48.2 48.3 49.1 50.1 51.1 52.1 53.1 54.1 54.2 55.1 56.1 57.1 58.1 59.1 59.2 60.1 61.1 62.1 63.1 64.1 65.1 66.1 67.1 68.1 69.1 70.1 71.1 72.1 73.1 74.1 75.1 76.1 77.1 78.1 79.1 80.1 81.1 82.1 83.1 84.1 85.1 86.1 87.1 88.1 89.1 90.1 91.1 92.1 93.1 94.1 95.1 96.1 96.2 97.1 98.1 98.2 99.1 100.1 101.1 102.1 103.1 104.1 105.1 106.1 107.1 108.1 109.1 110.1 111.1 112.1 113.1 114.1 115.1 116.1 117.1 118.1 119.1 120.1 121.1 122.1 123.1 124.1 125.1 126.1 127.1 128.1 129.1 130.1 131.1 132.1 133.1 134.1 135.1 136.1 137.1 138.1 139.1 140.1 141.1 142.1 143.1 144.1 145.1 146.1 147.1 148.1 149.1 150.1 151.1 152.1 153.1 154.1 155.1 155.2 156.1 157.1 158.1 159.1 160.1 161.1 162.1 163.1 164.1 165.1 165.2 166.1 167.1 167.2 168.1 169.1 170.1 171.1 172.1 173.1 174.1 175.1 176.1 177.1 178.1 179.1 180.1 181.1 182.1 183.1 184.1 185.1 186.1 187.1 188.1 188.2 189.1 190.1 191.1 192.1 193.1 194.1 195.1 196.1 197.1 198.1 199.1 200.1 201.1 202.1 203.1 204.1 205.1 206.1 207.1 208.1 209.1 210.1 211.1 212.1 213.1 214.1 215.1 216.1 217.1 218.1 219.1 220.1 221.1 222.1 223.1 223.2 224.1 225.1 226.1 227.1 228.1 229.1 230.1 231.1 232.1 233.1 234.1 235.1 236.1 237.1 238.1 239.1 240.1 241.1 242.1 243.1 244.1 244.2 245.1 246.1 247.1 248.1 249.1 250.1 251.1 252.1 253.1 253.2 256.1 257.1 258.1 259.1 259.2 260.1 261.1 262.1
Eolas Is an Pacáiste Sochar Teaghlaigh pacáiste de liúntais a chabhróidh leat leis na costais a bhaineann le reáchtáil do theaghlach.Tá an pacáiste ar fáil do dhaoine atá os cionn 70 bliain d’aois agus i gcúinsí áirithe do dhaoine atá faoi bhun 70 bliain d’aois. Ní mór duit a bheith ina gcónaí sa Stát agus caithfidh tú clárú le haghaidh Cárta Seirbhísí Poiblí nuair iarrann an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí ort é a dhéanamh. Ní féidir ach le duine amháin i dteaghlach cáiliú le haghaidh an phacáiste uair ar bith. Má ghlacann tú do chóiríocht ar cíos, ní mór do thiarna talún dearbhú scríofa a sholáthar go tionóntaí thú (lena n-áirítear MPRN nó GPRN an seoladh ina bhfuil tú i do chónaí) agus go n-íocann tú do chuid billí fuinnimh. Is ann do láithreáin ghréasáin tráchtála éagsúla a ligeann duit praghsanna fuinnimh a chur i gcomparáid. Creidiúnóidh an Coimisiún um Rialáil Fuinnimh (CER) láithreáin ghréasáin a dhéanann comparáid idir costais má chomhlíonann siad caighdeáin áirithe. Is féidir leat seiceáil a dhéanamh ar láithreáin Ghréasáin creidiúnaithe ar energycustomers.ie. Tá faisnéis foilsithe ag an Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí maidir le cad ba cheart duit a dhéanamh má tá deacracht airgeadais agat le do bhillí fuinnimh. Liúntais Is ann do 2 liúntas sa Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh: Liúntas 1 - An Liúntas Leictreachais nó - Liúntas Gáis Nádúrtha nó - Liúntas Leictreachais Airgid Thirim nó - Liúntas Gáis Airgid Thirim Liúntas 2 - An Ceadúnas Teilifíse Saor in Aisce Scoireadh den Liúntas Teileafóin ón 1 Eanáir 2014. B’ionann luach an liúntais agus €9.50 sa mhí sa teaghlach. Liúntais Liúntas 1: Liúntas Leictreachais/Gáis Más rud é go bhfuil soláthar leictreachais nó soláthar gáis nádúrtha, ní mór duit an Liúntas Leictreachais nó an Liúntas Gáis Nádúrtha a roghnú. Liúntas Leictreachais Creidmheas airgid thirim a íoctar leat gach mí is ea an Liúntas Leictreachais. Déanfar an t-athrú sin a chur i bhfeidhm maidir le do bhille go huathoibríoch más custaiméir Electric Ireland thú. Léireofar é sin mar chreidmheas €35 sa mhí (€1.15 gach lá) ar do bhille le Electric Ireland. Custaiméirí Electric Ireland Tar éis d’iarratas ar Liúntas Leictreachais a fhormheas, tugann an Roinn fógra do Electric Ireland, a chuirfidh an liúntas, lena n-áirítear aon chreidmheas siardhátaithe, i bhfeidhm maidir le do chéad bhille eile nó le bille ina dhiaidh sin. Íoctar an liúntas go díreach le Electric Ireland. Ní mór duit íoc as aon leictreachas a úsáideann tú os cionn an liúntais ar an ngnáthbhealach. Soláthraithe eile leictreachais Mura bhfuil Electric Ireland ar an soláthraí leictreachais atá agat, íocfar do Liúntas Leictreachais go díreach leat lena úsáid i leith do bhille leictreachais. Sa chás seo, is féidir an liúntas a íoc isteach i do chuntas bainc nó ag an oifig phoist atá áitiúil duit. Más rud é go bhfuil Liúntas Leictreachais á fháil agat cheana agus go n-athraíonn tú do sholáthraí leictreachais, ní gá duit iarratas a dhéanamh arís. Leanfar le do Liúntas Leictreachais a íoc - mar chreidmheas le do bhille le Electric Ireland nó mar íocaíocht airgid thirim le soláthraithe eile. Liúntas Leictreachais Airgid Thirim Féadfaidh tú cáiliú le haghaidh Liúntas Leictreachais Airgid Thirim €35 má tá tú i do chónaí i gcóiríocht fhéinchuimsitheach (árasán nó leithleann), agus más rud é: - Go bhfuil do mhéadar sliotáin leictreachais féin agat nó - Gurb ann do roinnt de mhéadair leictreachais ar leith atá ag oibriú ó mhéadar amháin ó sholáthraí leictreachais agus is tiarna talún é an tomhaltóir cláraithe leictreachais nó - Nach ann d’aon mhéadair ar leith, ach is tiarna talún é an tomhaltóir cláraithe leictreachais ag do sheoladh. Íoctar an Liúntas Leictreachais Airgid Thirim ar an gcéad Mháirt de gach mí le cuntas in institiúid airgeadais, mar shampla, banc nó, más rud é go bhfuil cárta seirbhísí leasa shóisialaigh agat, íocfar é tríd an oifig phoist atá áitiúil duit. (Tabhair faoi deara go mbeidh 56 lá agat le d’íocaíocht a bhailiú más rud é go bhfuiltear ag íoc leat trí oifig phoist ag úsáid cárta seirbhísí leasa shóisialaigh.) Liúntas Gáis Nádúrtha Ag brath ar do sholáthraí, is féidir an Liúntas Gáis Nádúrtha €35.00 ((€1.15 gach lá) a íoc mar chreidmheas airgid thirim ar do bhille gáis nó ar an gcéad Mháirt de gach mí le cuntas in institiúid airgeadais nó in oifig phoist. Ní chlúdaíonn an Liúntas an costas ar sholáthar gáis nádúrtha chuig do theach a shuiteáil. Más rud é go n-íoctar an Liúntas mar chreidmheas ar do bhille gáis, tabharfaidh an Roinn fógra do do sholáthraí gáis, a chuirfidh an liúntas i bhfeidhm, lena n-áirítear aon chreidmheas siardhátaithe, maidir leis an dara bille gáis a gheobhaidh tú tar éis an dáta sin. Liúntas Gáis Airgid Thirim Mura bhfuil do theach nasctha chuig soláthar leictreachais nó soláthar gáis nádúrtha ach comhlíonann tú coinníollacha na scéime, is féidir leat an Liúntas Gáis Airgid Thirim €35 (€1.15 gach lá) a fháil. Is féidir leat Liúntas Gáis Airgid Thirim a éileamh freisin má úsáideann tú gás nach soláthraítear tríd an eangach náisiúnta. Mar shampla, i roinnt limistéar, féadann taisceadán gáis gás a chur ar fáil do roinnt tithe a bhfuil a méadar aonair féin acu. Íoctar an Liúntas Gáis Airgid Thirim ar an gcéad Mháirt de gach mí le cuntas in institiúid airgeadais nó in oifig phoist. Aonaid gháis nó leictreachais a thabhairt ar aghaidh Is féidir do liúntas míosúil de €35 (€1.15 gach lá) a thabhairt ar aghaidh gan srianadh agus is féidir é a tharraingt anuas am ar bith, lena n-áirítear más mian leat athrú chuig soláthraí eile fuinnimh. Liúntas 2: Ceadúnas Teilifíse Saor in Aisce A luaithe is a cháilíonn tú le haghaidh an Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh, éiríonn tú incháilithe le haghaidh Ceadúnas Teilifíse Saor in Aisce ón gcéad dáta athnuachana eile de do cheadúnas teilifíse. Nuair a cháilíonn tú le haghaidh an Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh, eisíonn an Roinn ceadúnas teilifíse duit, agus tugann sí fógra do An Post faoi do theidlíocht i leith ceadúnas saor in aisce fad is atá tú i dteideal an Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh. Scoireadh den Liúntas Teileafóin ón 1 Eanáir 2014. Rialacha D'fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh tú i dteideal na scéime seo má: Tá tú 70 nó ós a chionn NÓ Má tá tú ag fáil Liúntas Cúramóra NÓ Tá tú ag tabhairt aire do dhuine atá ag fáil Liúntais Gaoil Forordaithe nó Liúntais Freastail Leanúnaigh NÓ Má tá tú idir 66 agus 70 agus ag fáil aon cheann acu seo a leanas: agus má chónaíonn tú i d'aonar nó le daoine faoi leith cáilithe - féach 'Daoine cáilithe' thíos NÓ Má tá tú faoi 66 agus ceann de na híocaíochtaí seo a leanas dhá fháil agat: - Pinsean Easláinte - Pinsean na nDall - Forlíonadh Éagumais nó Cúiteamh do Fhir Oibre le Sochar Míthreorach (ar feadh 12 mí ar a laghad) - Liúntas Míchumais - Pinsean/sochar slandála sóisialta den chinéal céanna ó thír eile atá clúdaithe ag Rialacha an AE nó ó thír eile a bhfuil Comhaontú Slandála Sóisialta Déthaobhach ag Éire léi agus má chónaíonn tú i d'aonar nó le daoine faoi leith cáilithe I measc an ndaoine cáilithe tá: - Duine fásta cáilithe (is duine fásta cáilithe é/í do chéile/pháirtnéir sibhialta/chomhchónaitheoir má tá liúntas dhá íoc leat ar a s(h)on mar chuid de d'íocaíocht féin nó má shaoraíonn sé/sí níos lú ná €310 sa tseachtain) - Páist(í) cleithiúnach(a) faoi 18 nó faoi 22 ach ag freastal ar oideachas lán-aimseartha (ní mór teastas a chur ar fáil ón scoil/coláiste dóibh siúd atá 18 nó ós a chionn) - Duine a bhfuil míchumas air/uirthi agus a theastaíonn cúram buan uaidh/uaithi ar feadh 12 mí ar a laghad (d'fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh teastas leighis ag teastáil) - Duine/daoine a bheadh i dteideal an liúntais é/í féin (mar shampla, duine a bhfuil Pinsean Stáit dhá íoc leis/léi) - Duine a chuireann cúram buan ar fáil duitse nó do dhuine i do líon tí má tá tusa nó an duine eile sin sa líon tí faoi mhíchumas mór agus go dteastaíonn cúram buan uait ar feadh ar a laghad 12 mí (d'fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh teastas leighis ag teastáil). Ní féidir glacadh le daoine atá fostaithe ar feadh níos mó ná 15 uair sa tseachtain nó le daoine atá ag fáil Sochar/Liúntas Cuardaitheora Poist mar dhaoine a chuireann cúram buan ar fáil do dhuine eile. NÓ Má tá tú idir 66 agus 70, má chomhlíonann tú riachtanais scrúdú maoine agus má tá cónaí ort i d'aonar no le aon cheann de na daoine cáilithe thuasluaite. Coinníollacha cháilithe eile - Ní mór buanchónaí a bheith ort (ar feadh na bliana ar fad) ag an seoladh lena dteastaíonn uait na liúntais a bheith i bhfeidhm. Ní íoctar na liúntais má tá cónaí ort i dteach altranais áit nach bhfuil lóistín glanscartha agat duit féin. D’fhéadfá a bheith i dteideal Liúntas Teileafóin a fháil má tá tú os cionn 70, agus má tá cónaí ort ina leithéid de theach altranais nó teach scoir, agus má tá do chuntas teileafóin féin agat. - Ní féidir le duine ar bith eile i do líon tí a bheith ag fáil na liúntas - Ní mór gur tusa an custaiméir cláraithe leis an soláthar leictreachais/gáis nádúrtha má tá éileamh dhá dhéanamh agat ar Liúntas Leictreachais/Gáis Nádúrtha agus an té atá cláraithe leis an soláthraí seirbhíse teileafóin más Liúntas Teileafóin atá dhá éileamh agat - Caithfidh tú clárú le haghaidh Cárta Seirbhísí Poiblí nuair iarrtar ort é a dhéanamh Baintreacha (fir nó mná) nó páirtnéirí sibhialta marthanacha atá idir 60 agus 65 Más baintreach (fir nó mná) nó páirtnéir sibhialta marthanach thú atá idir 60 agus 65 agus má bhí do chéile nó páirtnéir sibhialta marbh ag fáil Liúntas Teileafóin agus/nó Liúntas Leictreachais/Gáis Nádúrtha/Buidéal Gáis a Athlíonadh agus/nó Ceadúnas Teilifíse Saor in Aisce ón Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí roimh a b(h)ás, agus má bhí buanchónaí oraibh lena chéile, d'fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh tusa i dteideal na liúntas faoin Pacáiste Sochar Teaglaigh. Má bhí tú níos lú ná 60 bliain d’aois nuair fuair do chéile nó do pháirtnéir sibhialta bás, baineann an lamháltas leat nuair a bhainfeá 60 bliain amach. Ní mór ceann acu seo a leanas a bheith dhá íoc leat: - Pinsean Stáit (Idirthréimhse) - Pinsean Baintrí, Baintrí Fir nó Páirtnéara Shibhialta Mharthanaigh (Ranníocach) - Pinsean Baintrí, Baintrí Fir nó Páirtnéara Shibhialta Mharthanaigh (Neamh-Ranníocach) - Íocaíocht Teaglaigh Aontuismitheora (Baintrí Fir/Mná) - Pinsean Baintrí, Baintrí Fir nó Páirtnéara Shibhialta Mharthanaigh faoin Scéim um Shochair Dhíobhálacha Ceirde - Pinsean/Sochar Slandála Sóisialta den chinéal céanna ó thír eile atá clúdaithe ag Rialacha an AE nó ó thír eile a bhfuil Comhaontú Slandála Sóisialta Déthaobhach ag Éire léi - Gnáthphinsean Baintrí Gharda ón Roinn Dlí agus Cirt, agus Comhionannais. D'fhéadfadh sé go mbeadh ort cáipéisí a chur ar fáil mar fhianaise go raibh do chéile nó pháirtnéir sibhialta atá básaithe ag fáil Liúntas Teileafóin agus/nó Liúntas Leictreachais/Gáis Nádúrtha/ar Bhuidéal Gáis a Athlíonadh agus/nó Ceadúnas Teilifíse Saor in Aisce. Deontas do dhaoine atá ag athrú ó Phinsean Éasláinte, ó Liúntas Míchumais nó ó Phinsean na nDall Má tá Pinsean Éasláinte , Liúntas Míchumais nó Pinsean na nDall dhá íoc leat agus Liúntas Teileafóin agus/nó Liúntas Gáis Nádúrtha/ar Bhuidéal Gáis a Athlíonadh agus/nó Ceadúnas Teilifíse Saor in Aisce, is féidir an Liúntas a choinneáil má athraíonn tú go dtí íocaíocht eile ón Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí (gan Sochar/Liúntas Cuardaitheora Poist, Sochar Breoiteachta agus Liúntas Réamh-Scoir, Íocaíocht Teaghlaigh Aontuismitheora agus Sochar Cúramóra a bheith san áireamh). An scrúdú maoine Má tá tú idir 66 agus 70 agus mura bhfuil tú ag fáil íocaíocht cáilithe ní mór duit tástáil mhaoine a shásamh. Is éard atá i gceist lena leithéid de thástáil mhaoine ná do theorainn acmhainne seachtainiúil a mheas. Tá an teorainn seo bunaithe ar ráta uasta reatha an Phinsin Stáit (Ranníocach) mar aon le méaduithe de bharr aoise, cónaí i d'aonair, agus celeithiúnaithe fásta nó leanaí cleithiúnacha. Is é ráta uasta an Phinsin Stáit (Ranníocach) mar aon le €100 do theorainn ioncaim sheachtainiúil. Cuirtear do theorainn ioncaim sheachtainiúil i gcomparáid le do mhaoin seachtainiúil faoi mar a mheastar é nuair a dhéantar an tástáil mhaoine. Sásaíonn tú an tástáil mhaoine má tá do mhaoin sheachainiúil cothrom le do theorainn ioncaim sheachtainiúil nó faoina bhun agus bíonn tú incháilithe don Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh. Seolfar ceistneoir tástála maoine faoi leith chugat sa phost má tá tú ag cur isteach ar Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh ar bhunús tástála maoine. Má athraíonn tú d'áit chónaithe Má athraíonn tú d'áit chónaithe agus má chomhlíonann tú fós na coinníollacha don Pacáiste Sochar Teaghlaigh ní mór duit iarratas a dhéanamh in athuair. Rátaí Cá háit a ndéanfaidh mé iarratas Íoslódáil agus comhlánaigh Form HB1 (pdf). Tá tuilleadh eolais faoi Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh ar fáil. Ba chóir duit d’fhoirm iarratais a sheoladh ar ais chuig Rannóg an Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh: An Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí Seirbhísí Leasa Shóisialaigh Bóthar an Choláiste Sligeach Éire Uaireanta Oscailte:Ní thairgeann an oifig seo seirbhís do chuairteoirí pearsanta. Caithfidh gach ceist a bheith cur isteach tríd an fhoirm fiosraithe ar líne a úsáid, tríd an teileafón nó i scríbhinn. Láithreán Gréasáin: http://www.welfare.ie/ Is féidir leat ríomhphost don Rannóg an Phacáiste Sochair Teaghlaigh a sheoladh tríd an fhoirm fhiosraithe daingnithe a úsáid. Más mian leat labhairt duine-le-duine faoi do theidlíochtaí, is féidir leat cuairt a thabhairt ar d'ionad Faisnéise do Shaoránaigh áitiúil, oifig leasa shóisialaigh áitiúil nó ionad Intreo.