Entitlements for People with Disabilities
This document outlines most of the financial schemes available to
students with disabilities. The most relevant benefits are listed in the
summary pages (page 1-2). Full details on all such schemes are given in
appendix one. A section of contact information is provided at the end, and
you should familiarise yourself with the organisation which deals
specifically with your disability. It is often worthwhile getting onto their
mailing list for extra updated news and also a chance to provide feedback
and share experiences with an interest group.
1. Disability Allowance
Students with a disability may be entitled to Disability Allowance, a weekly
payment of €196 (maximum)
To qualify for a Disability Allowance you must:

Be aged between 16 and 65

Satisfy the Habitual Residence Condition

Satisfy a means test

Have an injury, disease or illness, or have a physical or learning disability
that has continued or is expected to continue for at least one year and
causes you to be ‘substantially restricted’ in doing work that would
otherwise by suitable for a person of your age, experience and
qualifications.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Pages/DisabilityIllness.aspx
2. Back to Education Allowance (BTEA)
The Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is a scheme for unemployed people,
lone parents and people with disabilities who are getting certain payments from
the Department of Social and Family Affairs. The allowance can be paid to
people who wish to do or take approved second or third level courses of
education. BTEA is not an unemployment payment. Participants get a standard
rate of payment which is not means tested. If you are signing for unemployment
'credits' only, you may qualify to take part in the scheme but you will not get a
payment. Students with disabilities who receive Disability Allowance should apply
for BTEA if they wish to be eligible for supplementary benefits such as rent
supplement.
http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Schemes/BackToEducation/Pages/btea.aspx
3. Supplementary Benefits
If your income, whether from basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance or
otherwise, is too low to meet certain special needs, you may be granted a weekly
supplement. Special needs may include:



rent or mortgage interest payments
exceptional heating expenses due to ill-health - you will be required to get
a letter from your doctor before a supplement for special heating needs
will be granted
a prescribed special diet as a result of a specified medical condition. In
most cases, it must be prescribed by a hospital consultant or a hospital
registrar. However, some diets may be prescribed by a G.P..
The amount of any supplement will be decided by the Health Service Executive
based on your circumstances. Students who receive Disability Allowance should
apply for BTEA if they wish to be eligible for supplementary benefits.
For further details on these and other benefits such as health care or transport,
see www.welfare.ie or contact your local Community Welfare Officer:
http://www.citizensinformation.ie/categories/health/how-health-isorganised/health_boards_and_community_welfare_officers
For On-campus or Dublin 2 region contact:
Community Welfare Officer
Pearse Street Primary Care Centre
Mark’s Lane
(Off Lombard Street)
Dublin 2
Tel 01 6777781
http://www.pearsestreetmedicalcentre.com/index.html
For Trinity Hall or surrounds contact:
Community Welfare Officer (Trinity Hall and surrounds)
Health Centre, 36 Upper Rathmines Road, Dublin 6.
Tel 01 497 3547
Tel 01 497 5863
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Appendix 1:
Students with disabilities and the welfare system
Sections
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Education
Payments available to disabled people
Health Care
Transport
Tax
Legal matters
Further information
1. Education
In addition to the student grant system, students with disabilities might
avail of the Back to Education Allowance. This allowance replaces
whatever disability payment you are already entitled to (see section 2)
and has the additional benefit of allowing you to work without your salary
affecting the payment. However, it could affect any secondary benefits
you are receiving. It also includes a €400 books allowance annually.
To qualify you must:
a) be 18 or over and receiving a disability payment for at least 12
months (e.g. Blind Person’s Pension / Disability Allowance /
Invalidity Pension / Unemployability Supplement), or
b) be receiving Disability Benefit for 3 years
(See section 2 for more on these benefits).
Application is made via your college’s Disability Officer. Note that parttime students are not eligiable for any of these educational grants at
present.
Personal Assistants
You may qualify for a PA to help with everyday tasks or specifically studyrelated ones. This may apply even if you are a part-time student. To find
out more, the best organisation is the Irish Wheelchair Association, and
also the Centre for Independent Living can help. They will process
applications from people with a range of disabilities, not exclusive of
mobility problems. (See section 7 for contact details)
Private Grants for Graduates
You might be interested in the following which are specifically targeted at
students with disabilities:
1) Fulbright Scholarships
a. The Jean Kennedy Scholarship – allows students with
disabilities to research in any subject in the United States
b. The Fulbright American/Ireland Fund Scholarship – allows a
graduate to research at Gallaudet University for the deaf.
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Contact: Hainault House, St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2
2) Dr. Ciaran Barry Scholarship
This allows for research at the Central Remedial Clinic.
Call 01 – 8057400.
http://www.crc.ie/research_drc.shtml
2. Payments available to people with disabilities
Most students with disabilities will qualify for either Disability Allowance or
Blind Pension. There are other payments, which will be briefly dealt with,
since most of them would not apply to the ‘typical’ student population (i.e.
single, under 30 years of age and never in full-time employment).
Means Test
Both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension are means-tested. “Means’
includes all income you may have, whatever its source and the value of
any property you may own. Failure to disclose could result in prosecution,
so it is better, when applying to list everything you think might be
relevant. There are a few exceptions to what counts as means, such as
the value of the home you actually occupy and any money received from a
recognised charity, but the best advice to any claimant is – declare these
anyway.
Habitual Residency Test
Both Disability Allowance and Blind Pension require that you must be
resident in Ireland or Great Britain for at least two years before applying.
Main Schemes
1) Disability Allowance
To qualify you must have a disability which would prevent you from doing
the kind of work which an able-bodied person of your own age, experience
and qualifications could undertake. In assessing your means, those of
your parents are not taken into account, even if you live at home. You
may have a job while on this allowance, provided it does not pay more
than a certain sum (currently €120 per week). Before getting any kind of
work, you must inform the Department of Social and Family Affairs and
get their approval. To apply for Disability Allowance, contact your local
social welfare office.
2) Blind Pension
In order to qualify you must have your eyes tested by a qualified
opthalmologist (an ordinary optician is not sufficient). Besides total
blindness, other visual impairments are also considered (e.g. low general
vision, tunnel vision). As with Disability Allowance, you may earn up to
€120 per week provided your work has been reported to and approved by
the Department of Social and Family Affairs. To apply for Blind Pension
contact your local social welfare office.
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In addition to Blind Pension you may also qualify for Blind Welfare
Allowance, a discretionary payment provided by your Local Health Office.
Free Travel
Everyone on Disability Allowance or Blind Pension receives a free Travel
Pass. Blind Pension automatically entitles you to a companion travel pass,
but if you receive Disability Allowance you would have to provide evidence
that you cannot safely travel alone in order to qualify for a companion
pass.
Living Alone Allowance
In addition to Disability Allowance and Blind Pension you may qualify for
this extra weekly payment. It is payable even if you do not live
entirely alone. You must however satisfy one of the following
conditions:
a) if you live in someone else’s house, you must be able to
demonstrate that you occupy either a self-contained flat or that you
have separate cooking/dining and sleeping accommodation,
b) you live alone during the day but either go to stay with friends or
relations at night or have someone staying with you at night. This
person must not contribute to household expenses in any way, or
c) you live alone during the week but a friend or relative stays with
you at weekends only.
Apply to the Department of Social and Family Affairs (i.e. the one where
you already get your main benefit from).
Supplementary Welfare Allowance
This is a weekly payment designed to supplement a low income and could
help out a person with a disability who does not qualify for disability
allowance or blind pension, but who cannot, due to their problems, earn a
living wage. It can also be payable to those who are waiting for their
applications to be processed. You must apply to the Community Welfare
Officer at the local Health Centre.
Diet Supplement
People with medical conditions requiring an expensive specialised diet can
apply for this benefit, but you require a hospital consultant (a normal GP
is not sufficient). Apply to the Community Welfare Officer at your local
Health Centre.
Heating Supplement
If you live alone and have medical proof that you require extra heating,
then you can apply for this through the Community Welfare Officer at your
local Health Centre.
Exceptional Needs Payments
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If you are in receipt of Disability Allowance, Blind Pension or
Supplementary Welfare Allowance, or on a low income, you may be able
to obtain a single one-off payment if unforeseen expense occurs. Apply to
the Community Welfare Officer at your local Health Centre.
Urgent Needs Payment
Even if you are not currently receiving Disability Allowance, Blind Pension
or Supplementary Welfare Allowance, you may still qualify for a one-off
emergency payment. Apply to the Community Welfare Officer at your local
Health Centre. If you are unsuccessful, you have the right of an appeal.
Household Benefits Package
If you receive Disability Allowance or Blind Pension you can apply for the
following package provided:
a) you live alone
b) you live with another person with a disability or someone elderly, or
c) you live with a full-time carer
Note even if you do not fit into one of these categories you may still
qualify. You can get the relevant forms at the Post Office or from: Free
Schemes Section, Pension Services Office, College Road, Sligo.
Telephone: (071) 916 9800 or Lo-Call: 1890 500 000
The package comprises the following:
1) Electricity allowance – this pays your standing charge and gives a
fixed number of free units
2) Natural or bottled gas allowance – if you prefer, you can have the
gas equivalent of the electricity allowance
3) Telephone allowance – this allows a certain sum off your telephone
bill but can only be claimed by Eircom customers.
4) TV licence – if you qualify for the above, you automatically receive a
free TV licence.
In addition to the benefits which are means tested, the following are
available regardless of income:
For Blind / visually impaired people:
Free directory enquiries: available to Eircom customers. If you have
difficulty using the phone book you can call the operator and be connected
to a free ‘special enquiries service’ which is the equivalent of directory
enquiries. You will receive a PIN which you quote, followed by your name.
This is recognised on a database of blind / partially sighted users who are
not charged for the call. To apply, phone 1800 574 574.
Braille / audio library: the National Council for the Blind of Ireland
operates a Braille/audio tape library (and will provide the necessary
equipment for the latter, at no cost). Contact them at: National Council
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for the Blind of Ireland, Whitworth Road, Drumcondra Road, Drumcondra,
Dublin 9. Phone: 01 8307033, LoCall: 1850 334 353. Website:
www.ncbi.ie
For Deaf / hard of hearing:
Sign language interpreters: Irish Sign Link provides interpreters for Deaf
and hearing-impaired people to assist in situations such as interviews,
meetings, etc. Contact them at: Irish Sign Link, 25 Clyde Road,
Ballsbridge, Dublin 4. Fax: 6685029, phone/minicom: 608 0437 or email:
signlink@indigo.ie
National relay service: a free text service for minicom users.
1800 207 900 (using minicom to a hearing person)
1800 207 800 (minicom to another minicom user)
1800 207 999 (emergency services)
STEP (Scheme for Text Telephone Equality of Payment): this allows
a rebate of calls on your phone bill (currently 70%). Contact the National
Association for Deaf People, 35 North Fredrick Street, Dublin 1, Phone:
872 3800, Fax: 872 3816, email: nad@iol.ie
Invalidity Pension
The following payment might be applicable to mature students or other
non-traditional groups. This benefit is for people who were formerly able
to work and who have already amassed a certain number of PRSI credits.
You will also be entitled to a free travel pass. Claim forms available from
your local Social Welfare Office or the Invalidity Pension Claims Section of
the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
3. Health
Medical Card
Although most college provide free health care for staff and students, the
following information is included for guidance.
Normally Medical Cards are issued to those whose income falls below a
certain level. However, exceptions are sometimes made in the case of
those who have special, i.e. more expensive treatment needs. If you are
receiving a pension from another EU country, but are living here and are
not in paid employment, then you may also qualify for a medical card. If
you do receive one, you are entitled to free
GP/hospital/medicines/optical/aural and dental services.
Note: anyone who suffers from Hepatitis C as a result of contaminated
blood products used in Ireland will receive a “Health Amednment Act
Services Card” entitling them to most of the medical card benefits but
without the need for a means test.
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GP Visit Card
These are issued to people on low incomes – but not low enough to qualify
for a medical card. It entitles you to GP services but nothing else. For all
of the above, apply to your Local Health Office. There is also an appeal
procedure if you are unsuccessful via the designated appeals officer in the
HSE.
Hospitals
There is a charge for each day you spend in hospital on a public ward,
unless you have a medical card. If you cannot afford this you can write to
the particular hospital involved, and request a waiver.
Out Patients
If a GP refers you there is no charge, but if you have no medical card and
have to go to the A&E, you have to pay. However, if you return for
subsequent visits due to the same problem, there is no further charge.
Long Term Illness Scheme
Regardless of income, drugs for the following conditions are free:
Cerebral Palsy
Cystic Fibrosis
Diabetes Insipidus
Diabetes Mellitus
Epilepsy
Haemophilia
Hydrocephalus
Leukaemia (acute)
Mental Handicap
Multiple Sclerosis
Muscular Dystrophy
Parkinson’s Disease
Phenylketonuria
Spina Bifida
Apply to your Local Health Office.
Drugs Payment Scheme
This entitles an individual – or a family – to pay a certain sum per month
towards the total cost of required medication, appliances etc. The rest is
free. Your local pharmacy or health office will have the registration forms.
Note: once registered you must continue using the same pharmacy and
you will be given a plastic swipe card which must be presented each time
you have a prescription filled.
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Aural / Dental / Optical Services
All of these are free to medical card holders and anyone who qualifies for
the Treatment Benefit Scheme. This scheme is available to those formerly
in full-time employment who have amassed sufficient PRSI credits and
who is now in receipt of an Invalidity Pension or Disability Benefit. Apply
to: Treatment Benefit Section, Department of Social and Family Affairs,
Letterkenny, Co. Donegal. Phone: 704 3000, Lo-Call 1890 400 400
Appliances etc
Help in buying these is given to medical card holders and those registered
as having chronic conditions. In either case, VAT refunds are generally
available. Contact VAT Repayments Section, Government Buildings,
Kilrush Road, Ennis, Co. Clare. Lo-Call 1890 202 033 or visit
www.revenue.ie
Citizens Advice also has a website and contact number:
www.assistireland.ie and 1890 277 478.
In addition, the voluntary organisation dealing with your specific condition
will have more information (see end of document for a list).
4. Transport
Free Travel
This is available to all those receiving Disability Allowance, Blind Pension,
Invalidity Pension and anyone receiving these or similar benefits frm
another EU state and who is permanently residen there.
This applies to Dublin Bus / Bus Éireann / Iarnród Éireann / DART / Luas
and a number of private travel operators. A companion pass is given to
all Blind Pensioners and those who can demonstrate unfitness to travel
alone. Apply to your local Social Welfare office or the Free Schemes
section of the Department of Social and Family Affairs.
Disabled Person’s Parking Card
This allows a driver with a disability or passenger to park the vehicle in
which they are travelling at any designated disabled parking space. This
card is valid throughout the EU and also USA and Canada. There is a
charge for this card and you must apply to either the Irish Wheelchair
Association, National Mobility Centre, Ballinagappa Road, Clane, Co.
Kildare (Phone 045 893 094) or the Parking Card Section, Disabled Drivers
Association of Ireland, Ballindine, Co. Mayo (Phone 094 9364054, website
www.iol.ie/~ability . You will need to get the form completed by both
your doctor and a Garda.
AA Services
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If you belong to the Disabled Drivers Association, AA staff will provide free
breakdown services. Note that this only applies to the kind of service AA
personnel can provide – anything involving contractors must be paid for.
Toll Charges
Disabled drivers or passengers are exempt from toll charges, apply to
Concessionary Travel Section, National Toll Roads PLC, York Road,
Ringsend, Dublin 4: phone 01 668 2888.
Trains
Iarnród Éireann has a free “Guide for Mobility Impaired Passengers”
available on request at the station or phone their Liaison Officer at 01 703
2634.
Fáilte Ireland
The Validated Accessible Scheme (VAS) provides information on disabledfriendly accommodation. Phone LoCall 1890 525 525 or 1850 230 330,
websites www.failteireland.ie and www.ireland.ie
Motorised Transport Grant
If you are a person with a disability and a car is essential for your job or if
you live in a remote area, you can apply for this grant. Normally, it is
paid to disabled drivers, but it is possible to get it on behalf of a
designated driver. Apply to your local Health Office.
5. Tax
If your only income is a long-term disability payment, then it is unlikely to
be taxed. However, the following information is of particular relevance to
people with disabilities. In most cases there is a specific leaflet which
your regional Revenue office will supply, or call 1890 306 706. They are
also available on the website: www.revenue.ie
Fees
If you pay fees in college, then you or the fee payer can claim a tax credit.
Blind Person’s Tax Credit
Tax credits are claimable by single or married blind people (if both are
blind). See leaflet IT35. In addition, you can claim an allowance for your
guide dog if you are a registered owner with the Irish Guide Dog
Association.
Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Relief
This allows for exemption from Vehicle Registration Tax (VRT) and VAT
paid for an adapted vehicle or adaptations made to a standard vehicle.
There is also an allowance in respect of excise duty paid on a certain
number of gallons of petrol per year. Annual motor tax is also waived.
Apply to: Disabled Drivers Section, Central Repayments Office, Office of
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the Revenue Commissioners, Colshannagh, Co. Monaghan. Phone (047)
38010, Lo-Call 1890 606 061.
Medical Expenses
You can claim a refund for these on behalf of yourself or a disabled
relative (excluding things like regular optical or dental exams) – leaflet
IT6.
Deed of Covenant
This legal agreement allows someone to pay a yearly allowance to a
disabled relative. It lasts for six years and enables the donor to claim tax
relief but will be treated as taxable income in the case of the recipient.
This could result in their losing a means-tested health board payment or a
medical card. See leaflet IT7.
Incomes which are not taxed
Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT): People with disabilities can
claim DIRT refunds if their gross income is below or slightly over the
exemption limit. See leaflet IT8.
Personal Injury Compensation Payments and the income arising
from their investment are exempt in cases where the injury was
severe enough to leave the person permanently disabled. See
leaflet IT13. This also applies to lump sums paid by an employer
(leaflet IT21).
6. Legal Matters
Legal Aid / Advice
This is a means tested service whereby those on low incomes can avail
themselves of legal aid or advice without incurring legal fees (although
you may be required to make a contribution). There is also a voluntary
group: Free Legal Advice Centres (FLAC)
Apply to the Legal Aid Board, Cahirciveen, Co. Kerry. Phone – (066) 947
1000, website www.legalaidboard.ie
Free Legal Advice Centres, 13 Lower Dorset Street, Dublin 1. Phone – 874
5690, website www.flac.ie
7. Information
Name of
Organisation
Citizen’s
Information
Centres
Address
Phone
Email
Website
13a Upper
O'Connell Street
Dublin 1
lo-call 1890
777 121
See website:
www.citizensinfor
mation.ie
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Ahead
(Association
for Higher
Education
Access and
Disability)
Centre for
Independent
Living
Disability
Federation of
Ireland
Disabled
Drivers
Association
of Ireland
Enable
Ireland
Irish Deaf
Society
Irish
Wheelchair
Association
Mental
Health
Ireland
National
Association
for Deaf
People
National
Council for
the Blind of
Ireland
People with
Disabilities in
Ireland
National
Disability
Authority
PO Box 30
East Hall
UCD
Carysfort Avenue
Blackrock
Co. Dublin
Carmichael House
North Brunswick
St
Dublin 7
Fumbally Court
Fumbally Lane
Dublin 8
Ballindine
Co. Mayo
716 4396
ahead@iol.ie
www.ahead.ie
873 0455
info@dublincil.or
g
www.dublincil.org
454 7978
info@disabilityfederation.ie
www.disabilityfederation.ie
(094) 936
4054 or
4266
ability@iol.ie
www.iol.ie/~ability
National Services
Sandymount
Avenue
Dublin 4
30 Blessington St
Dublin 7
Áras Chúchulainn
Blackheath Drive
Clontarf
Dublin 3
Mensana House
6 Adelaide Street
Dun Laoghaire
Co. Dublin
35 North Frederick
Street
Dublin 1
2695355
info@enableirela
nd.ie
www.enableireland
.ie
860 1878
ids@indigo.ie
818 6400
info@iwa.ie
www.irishdeafsocie
ty.org
www.iwa.ie
284 1166
info@
mentalhealthirela
nd.ie
www.mentalhealth
ireland.ie
872 3800
nad@iol.ie
www.nadp.ie
Whitworth Road
Drumcondra
Dublin 9
830 7033
LoCall 1850
334 353
info@ncbi.ie
www.ncbi.ie
Richmond Square
Morning Star
Avenue
Dublin 7
25 Clyde Road
Dublin 4
872 1744
info@pwdi.ie
www.pwdi.ie
608 0400
nda@nda.ie
www.nda.ie
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