Budget 2011 Update

There are a number of Benefits, Entitlements and Allowances that can be applied for to help your child with Autism or Asperger Syndrome.  Some of these are on an entitlement basis based on the disability, some are means tested, some are age dependent and some are needs based.
It can be very confusing trying to make sense of all these especially if you are trying to come to terms with a new diagnosis.   We have tried to clarify the various options below.  Some of these will apply to you and hopefully the hints and tips we give will help when completing the forms.
Our first tip is to ensure you have copies of all your child’s assessments and reports.   Always keep the originals yourself and have a pile of copies to hand at all times.    
Work through the forms one by one, they are not as complicated as they seem.  Once you have completed the form always keep a copy.  Get a lever arch file and create sections for each separate application.  You can then file all correspondence to do with that application in the relevant section.    
If you are applying for something which involves making a number of phone calls it is worth making a call sheet to keep a record of all calls.    This is basically an A4 sheet you keep in your folder with the following headings:   Date, Person Spoken to, Action or Message.  It can be frustrating at times making endless calls to seemingly faceless offices but we have found over the years that the best way to get results is to be pleasantly persistent.  I.e. always be polite to the person on the phone but keep a log of the calls and always follow up calls.
This information is available in the public domain and cannot be construed as professional, technical or legal advice.  It is a summary of information from Government Websites and the Inland Revenue Website, standard textbook information and personal accounts and experience.  This list is based on our knowledge at the time and is not exhaustive.

 

BUDGET 2011 FACTSHEET

 

The main changes to the Budget 2011 which will impact on families/carers of people with ASD and people with ASD are outlined below.  Primarily they are changes to rates of social welfare payments.  For further details of the Budget 2011 changes please visit  www.budget.gov.ie, www.welfare.ie or www.citizensinformation.ie or telephone the Department of Social Protection on 1890 66 22 44 (LoCall) 9am – 9pm Monday to Friday. (The rates charged for the use of 1890 (LoCall) numbers may vary among different service providers)

 

Allowance

2009

2010

2011

Disability Allowance  (Personal Rate)

€204.30

€196.00

€188.00

Qualified Adult Allowance (Under 66)

€136.00

€130.10

€124.80

Domiciliary Care Allowance

€309.50

€309.50

€309.50

Carer’s Allowance (Under 66)

€220.50

€212.00

€204.00

Carer’s Allowance (Over 66)

€239.00

€239.00

€239.00

Carer’s Benefit & Constant Attendance Allowance

€221.20

€213.00

€205.00

Respite Care Grant (Annual Payment)

€1,700.00

€1,700.00

€1,700.00

 

Income Tax Credits from January 2011

Existing

Proposed

Home Carer Tax Credit

€900.00

€810.00

Dependent Relative Tax Credit

€80.00

€70.00

Incapacitated Child Tax Credit

€3,660.00

€3,300.00

 

Universal Social Charge (USC)

Social Welfare payments are exempt from the USC. 

Medical Card Holders who were previously exempt from the income levy now pay the Universal Social Charge but capped at 4%

 

Disability and Mental Health

There will be a maximum reduction of 1.8% in the budget allocation for the two sectors.  €10 million additional funding for disability will be provided to the HSE in 2011.  This is to meet anticipated extra demand for emergency residential, respite and personal assistant/home support hours for people with disabilities and day places for school leavers in September 2011.  It is not specified how much of the €10 million additional funding will be allocated for people with ASD and/or their families.

Source Page: http://www.autismireland.ie/benefits-entitlements/513/

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