CARING FOR LOVED ONES
Nursing Home Support
Under the Fair Deal scheme patients seeking a place in either a Private or Public Nursing Home now have the same assessment of need and the same means-test for payment. The Patient will be liable to pay towards the cost of care:
80% of assessable income after deduction of tax, USC, PRSI, mortgage/rent and out of pocket medical expenses.
Plus 7.5% of the value of any assets in excess of €36,000
A spouse is assessed with half of the couple’s joint income and assets. The HSE can assess assets transferred in the previous five years. The balance of the cost will be met by the state.
If the asset is in property the contribution may be deferred until settlement of the person’s estate, but the money owning will be increased by the Consumer’s Price Index each year. In the case of the family home the deferred contribution will be capped at the value of 3 years contribution that is 22.5% of the property value irrespective of the length of the stay. The deferred charge against the home will not be collected during the life time of a surviving spouse or disabled child. The deferral must be separately requested by the patient, or by a care representative approved by the Circuit Court for a patient who is not capable of making the decision themselves.
Home Care Package:
This can fund a care plan in the home, where care is assessed as necessary either on discharge from hospital or by any Public Health Nurse to keep a person out of institutional care.
Carers Allowance is paid to a person giving full-time care to a child on Domiciliary Care Allowance or to a person aged 16 or over requiring full-time care. The allowance is means-tested in the following: any weekly income of the carer is in excess of €332.50 (single) or half of their own or their spouse’s income in excess of €665 (Married). The allowance is reduced accordingly disregarding the first €7.60. The rate of payment is €204 (€239 if the carer is 66 or over) plus an annual allowance of €1,375 Respite Grant. Half Rate Carer’s Allowance is payable to persons receiving another Social Welfare Payment.
An additional 50% allowance and a full respite grant will be paid to persons caring for more than one incapacitated person. Carers are entitled to Free Travel in their own right. A carer can take up training or paid employment for up to 15 hours per week. Carers are entitled to credited contributions to keep them in benefit. On ceasing to act as a carer you are entitled to go on Back to Work, To Education or Communality Employment Schemes.
Persons caring full time can qualify for a €1,375 Respite grant regardless of means, those working more than 15 hours per week or on Jobseekers Allowance will not qualify.
A Carers Benefit of €205 based on your Social Insurance can be claimed for short-term absences from work (up to 24 months) for caring responsibilities. It is available to all insurance classes except S and J. Limited work earnings up to €332.50 per week are permissible, while claiming this benefit. Your job is protected for the 24 month duration.
This can fund a care plan in the home, where care is assessed as necessary either on discharge from hospital or by any Public Health Nurse to keep a person out of institutional care.
Carers Allowance is paid to a person giving full-time care to a child on Domiciliary Care Allowance or to a person aged 16 or over requiring full-time care. The allowance is means-tested in the following: any weekly income of the carer is in excess of €332.50 (single) or half of their own or their spouse’s income in excess of €665 (Married). The allowance is reduced accordingly disregarding the first €7.60. The rate of payment is €204 (€239 if the carer is 66 or over) plus an annual allowance of €1,375 Respite Grant. Half Rate Carer’s Allowance is payable to persons receiving another Social Welfare Payment.
An additional 50% allowance and a full respite grant will be paid to persons caring for more than one incapacitated person. Carers are entitled to Free Travel in their own right. A carer can take up training or paid employment for up to 15 hours per week. Carers are entitled to credited contributions to keep them in benefit. On ceasing to act as a carer you are entitled to go on Back to Work, To Education or Communality Employment Schemes.
Persons caring full time can qualify for a €1,375 Respite grant regardless of means, those working more than 15 hours per week or on Jobseekers Allowance will not qualify.
A Carers Benefit of €205 based on your Social Insurance can be claimed for short-term absences from work (up to 24 months) for caring responsibilities. It is available to all insurance classes except S and J. Limited work earnings up to €332.50 per week are permissible, while claiming this benefit. Your job is protected for the 24 month duration.