Disability Allowance

The monthly Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) payment for a child with autism is no longer payable once the child reaches the age of 16. On reaching the age of 16 the child is entitled to apply for a Disabilty Allowance payment. Disabilty Allowance is a means-tested payment for people with a specified disability aged between 16 and under 66.

To Qualify for the Disability Allowance a person must:

1. The person must be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from medical assessment or examination of the person’s disability.
2. Be aged between 16 and under the age of 66
3. Be habitually resident in the state.
4. Satisfy a means test if required.

Medical Criteria:

An applicant for Disability Allowance must be substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment
The medical criteria laid down by the Department of Social Protection in order to qualify for Disability Allowance are:
a. The person must be suffering from an injury, disease, congenital deformity or physical or mental illness or defect which has continued or may reasonably be expected to continue for a period of at least a year
and
b. As a result of the condition the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work which would otherwise be suitable having regard to the person’s age, experience and qualifications.
This would mean that the person’s capacity to undertake or carry out work would be substantially less than that of a person without the specified Disability in question.
The application form requires claimants to produce certified medical evidence which outlines various aspects of their medical condition. In all cases an assessment is made by Departmental Medical Assessors of the evidence submitted to determine the nature and extent of the disability and its effect on the person’s capacity to work.

Habitual Residence

• be habitually resident in the State
From 1st May 2004 anyone regardless of nationality, making a claim for Disability Allowance, is required to satisfy a habitual residence condition (HRC). Please see separate guideline ‘ Habitual Residence Condition‘ .

Rules

A claimant will be disqualified from receiving Disability Allowance if s/he fails, without good cause, to
• attend for or submit to any medical examination or other examination at such time or place as may be required by an Officer of the Minister provided that the Officer gives not less than 7 days notice in writing;
• comply with any instructions relating to his/her incapacity issued by a registered medical practioner or refrain from behaviour likely to hinder his/her recovery;
• be available to meet with an Officer of the Minister and answer any reasonable enquiries relating to his/her Disability Allowance claim.

• Documentation
• Claimants of Disability Allowance are responsible for the production of certificates, documents, information and evidence required, including Birth Certificate, Marriage Certificate (if applicable), medical evidence and details of means such as a P60, current payslip, etc. It is not necessary to furnish a birth certificate if born in the Republic of Ireland or marriage certificate if married in the Republic of Ireland.
• A medical certificate is incorporated into the claim form for Disability Allowance which must be completed and signed by the claimant’s General Practitioner (GP) or Consultant.
• A decision on entitlement cannot be made until all the necessary documentation has been provided.
Download a copy of the Disability Allowance Claim form here: ( DA1)

In 2014, the weekly maximum rate of Disability Allowance is:

Personal rate (claimant) €188 (maximum rate)
Qualified adult €124.80 (maximum rate)
Qualified child €29.80 (full-rate)
€14.90 (half-rate)

If you require assistance in completing the Disability Allowance application form you can contact Shine on 021 4377052.