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There are a number of allowances which may be
claimed, these include
Incapacitated Child Allowance
Claimed by parent of a child who is permanently
incapacitated from maintaining him/herself. This
means that the nature of the disability must be
such that the child is unlikely to be able to
maintain him/herself independently in the long
term (i.e. when over 16 years of age). In cases
where more than one child is permanently incapacitated,
an allowance may be claimed for each child.
The allowance is based on the standard rate of
tax. Once it can be shown that the incapacity
is likely to have been present since birth, a
tax rebate can also be claimed for all earlier
years.
Apply to your tax office with the following
information:
Childs Name
Date of Birth
Brief Description of nature of incapacity
Income of child if any
If tax relief is also being claimed for earlier
years
It is not necessary at application stage to submit
a Medical Certificate however it is advisable
to have a letter from a GP, Child Psychologist
etc certifying that the child is autistic, that
the problem is likely to persist into adulthood
and if appropriate that the disability is likely
to have been present since birth.
Other Allowances available
Domiciliary Care Allowance - paid to parents
of a child with a disablility that results in
the need for substantially greater care and attention
to that normally required by a child or the same
age. Contact Health Board for application form.
Not means tested in terms of the parents income
however is the child is in receipt of income this
will be taken into account. Applies to children
up to sixteen years of age and disability must
have been present for at least six months prior
to date of application. Not payable if child is
in a residential home.
Carers Allowance - means tested for carers
on low income, who live with and look after people
who need full time care and attention
Respite Grant
All families in receipt of Carers Allowance are
also entitled to a respite grant. This allowance
is automatically paid out by the Department of
Social and Family Affairs. It is not means tested.
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