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The following is a list
of the main entitlements for people with Autism and their carers.
The list is not exhaustive and changes from time to time. It is
for information purposes only and the final decision on granting
any of these issues is with the relevant authority.
1.
Health Service Executive

Click On The Logo To
Go Directly To The Department's Website |
- Domicillary Care Allowance (and respite care grant)
- Medical/GP Visit Card
Domicillary
Care Allowance (& Respite Care Grant)
Domiciliary
Care Allowance is a monthly allowance administered by the Health
Service Executive and paid in respect of eligible children from
birth up to their 16th Birthday, who have a severe disability requiring
continual or continuous care and attention which is substantially
in excess of that normally required by a child of the same age.
It
is a matter for the Senior Medical Officer in the relevant Health
Service Executive area to decide whether a child with a particular
condition qualifies for Domiciliary Care Allowance.
Click
on the HSE link above and download the application form and
submit it to your nearest centre. You will then be called to meet
a Senior Medical Officer who must be satisfied that the child needs
levels of care in excess of the norm. It is important to bring any
supporting documentation, evaluations or diagnosis materials with
you to this meeting.
In
nearly all cases once you are approved for the Domicillary Care
Allowance you will automatically receive the Respite Care Grant.
This grant is normally paid from June each year and its current
value is €1,500.00.
Medical/GP
Visit Card
Please
click on the HSE link above and scroll down to download an application
form for a medical card. In the cases of special needs children
the criteria and thresholds are different so it is important that
you contact the HSE Medical Card Section before you apply.
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2.
Department of Social & Family Affairs

Click
On The Logo To Go Directly To The Department's Website
- Carers Allowance/Benefit (can also lead to free telephone line
rental, TV license etc.) (Means Tested)
The
Carer's Allowance is a payment for carers on low incomes who live
with and look after certain people in need of full-time care and
attention. Carers who are providing care to more than one person
may be entitled to up to 50% extra of the maximum rate of Carer's
Allowance each week, depending on the weekly means assessed.
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3. Department
of Education and Science
www.education.ie
Please
Click Here To Down Load The Home Tuition Application Form
Please
read the following extract from the Dept of Education's Website
APPLICATION
FOR HOME TUITION FOR CHILDREN DIAGNOSED WITH AUTISTIC SPECTRUM DISORDER
Home tuition is
intended to provide education for children with:
A clear diagnosis
of Autistic Spectrum Disorder who have a significant special educational
need and who are awaiting the provision of an appropriate school
based educational service.
Home
Tuition is for educational purposes only. The provision of therapeutic
services such as Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy,
Psychological services etc are a matter for the Health Service Executive
(HSE). Therefore Home Tuition grants should not be used, under any
circumstances, to fund health related supports.
Ø
Details and qualifications of teacher must be included in the application
form. Teacher must submit some form of identification displaying
their signature e.g. driving licence, passport. This may be submitted
with the home tuition application or directly to the Home Tuition
Section, Special Education, indicating the name of the child to
whom he/she will be delivering home tuition. Sanction of Home Tuition
will only be given when full details of the proposed teacher are
provided to the Department of Education and Science and the application
has been fully completed. No arrangements should be entered into
with teachers in anticipation of funding until confirmation of sanction
is received from the Department – Appendix 1 outlines Acceptable
Qualifications for Home Tuition Providers
Ø
Copies of recent psychological assessments/professional reports
should be attached. All reports submitted will be treated confidentially.
Ø
Home Tuition will be sanctioned on a term basis only/or until a
school placement has been sourced, again arrangements should not
be entered into with teachers in anticipation of funding beyond
the sanction date unless Department of Education & Science sanction
has been received. Retrospective Grant Claim Forms will not be processed.
(Application
form download available on the Department Website)
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4.
Revenue Commissioners
www.revenue.ie
Contact
Your Local Tax Office. Proof of diagnosis is required for the Incapaciated
Child Allowance and a basic form must be completed. This allowance
is retrospective to the date of diagnosis or the start of the current/previous
tax year.
- Incapacitated Child Tax Credit
- Medical Expenses Rebate (Med 1 Form)
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Don't
Forget That People With Disabilities Rights Are Protected In Legislation
The
following information may also be of assistance to you:
Equality & Rights
Voluntary
Organisations
National
Council for Special Education
National
Educational & Psychological Service
(Click
Here for More Information)
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