Thinking Entitlements

Domiciliary Care Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance: Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a monthly payment for a child aged under 16 with a severe disability, who requires ongoing care and attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested. You

Disability Allowance

Disability Allowance: Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability. You can get Disability Allowance from 16 years of age. If you are in education when you turn 16, you can continue to attend school while still receiving the disability benefit. If you qualify for Disability

Diet and Heating Supplement

Diet and heating supplements: If you have special dietary and heating needs you may be able to get additional weekly supplements under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. You must satisfy the specific requirements for each supplement – see ‘Rules’ below. Rules Diet supplement The diet supplement was discontinued for new applicants from 1 February

Carers Support Grant

The Carer’s Support Grant: The Carer’s Support Grant is an annual payment made to carers by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection (DEASP). The scheme name was changed from the Respite Care Grant in 2016 to better reflect how the Grant is used. Carers can use the grant

Carers Benefit

Carer’s Benefit: Carer’s Benefit is a payment made to insured people who leave the workforce to care for a person(s) in need of full-time care and attention. You can get Carer’s Benefit for a total period of 104 weeks for each person being cared for. This may be claimed as

Blind Pension

Blind Pension: The Blind Pension is a means-tested payment paid to blind and visually impaired people who are in Ireland. The payment is made by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection. To qualify for the Pension you must supply an eye test from an ophthalmic surgeon to verify your

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance

Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance: The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BSCFA) helps you meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for children going to school. The scheme for 2018 is now closed. The closing date for applications was 30 September 2018. Rules You may qualify

Social Welfare Appeals

Social Welfare Appeals: If you think you have been wrongly refused a social welfare payment you can appeal this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. You can also appeal if you are unhappy about any decision of a social welfare Deciding Officer or Designated Person (in the case of

How Social Welfare Payments are Paid

How Social Welfare Payments are Paid: If you live in Ireland and are getting a social welfare payment, you can request the method by which you are paid. Decisions on the choice of payment method are administrative within the Department of Social Protection (DSP). There are 4 different methods of

Claiming a Social Welfare Payment

Claiming a Social Welfare Payment: The Department of Social Protection has a range of social welfare payments that provide financial support. To get a social welfare payment, you must apply. So, if you think you are entitled to a payment you should apply unless you are certain you don’t qualify.