August 2010 (Part 2)
Westmeath CIS provide answers to listeners' questions
Midland Radio 3
Thursday 4th August 2010 (Part 2)
Question 6
A listener is wondering when will the fuel allowance be paid and she is wondering if she would be entitled to it as she lives on her own and is a widow aged 63.
Answer 6
A Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating your home. It is paid to people who are dependant on long-term social welfare or Health Service Executive (HSE) payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs.
The scheme operates for 32 weeks from September to the end of April.
Normally you must be over 66 to qualify, but if you are:
- Under the age of 66 and getting an Invalidity Pension/benefit (for over 12 months), a Widow's or Widower's Pension or an equivalent payment from another country you may qualify.
It will depend on your income.
The Fuel Allowance is €20 per week.
Question 7
Mary is looking after her mother and father full time and she is wondering should her brother and sisters be paying her and would she be entitled to anything?
Answer 7
If she is providing full time care to her parents and if they are so disabled as to require this care she can apply for carers allowance.
The Carer's Allowance is not payable to everyone, it is mainly aimed at carers on low incomes who live with and look after people who need full-time care and attention.
You will also qualify for free household benefits (such as Free Electricity/Natural Gas/Bottled Gas Refill Allowance, Free Television Licence, Free Telephone Rental Allowance) and a Free Travel Pass.
Respite care grant is also payable to carers.
Carer's Allowance is not taken into account in the assessment for a medical card.
How means are assessed
The means test for the Carer's Allowance involves assessing your income (excluding your home). Since April 2008, the amount of weekly income that is not taken into account is €332.50.
In the case of a married or cohabiting couple's income (except for social welfare payments from other states, to which special rules apply) the first €665 of their combined weekly income is disregarded.
Question 8
Pat in Athlone is getting FIS and he is wondering is there anything else that he would be entitled to?
Answer 8
If you qualify for FIS, you may qualify for a medical card. You could apply also for the back to school clothing and footwear allowance, although for both of these at the end of the day it will depend on your income.
Question 9
Mary in Tullamore her husband is going through Chemo and she is wondering can she get carer’s allowance for him?
Answer 9
She can apply as above.
Question 10
John is wondering what is the difference between illness benefit and disability allowance?
Answer 10
Illness benefit is based on a person’s PRSI contributions.
Disability Allowance is a means tested payment. To qualify for Disability Allowance (DA) you must:
- Have an injury, disease or physical or mental disability that has continued or may be expected to continue for at least one year
- As a result of this disability be substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable for a person of your age, experience and qualifications
- Be aged between 16 and 66. When you reach 66 years of age you will no longer qualify for DA, but you will be assessed for a state pension.
- Satisfy a means test
- Satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition.
Question 11
Kate in Edenderry is wondering about how long maternity leave is for someone who works part time?
Answer 11
You are entitled to 26 weeks’ maternity leave together with 16 weeks additional unpaid maternity leave.
Under the Maternity Protection (Amendment) Act 2004 at least 2 weeks have to be taken before the end of the week of your baby's expected birth and at least 4 weeks after. You can decide how you would like to take the remaining weeks. Generally, employees take 2 weeks before the birth and the remaining weeks after. If you qualify for Maternity Benefit (see below) at least 2 and no more than 16 weeks must be taken before the end of the week the baby is due.
Payment during maternity leave
Your entitlement to pay during maternity leave depends on the terms of your contract of employment. Employers are not obliged to pay women on maternity leave. You may qualify for Maternity Benefit which is a Department of Social Protection payment you have sufficient PRSI contributions. However an employee’s contract could provide for additional rights to payment during the leave period, so that, for example, the employee could receive full pay less the amount of Maternity Benefit payable.