Domiciliary Care Allowance

Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to the carer of a child with an illness so severe that the child requires care and attention and/or supervision substantially in excess of another child of the same age. The child must be likely to require this level of care and attention for at least 12 months.

Payment is made on the third Tuesday of every month for the current month.

It is not based on a means test.

Most of our children with liver disease are entitled to this payment. Do not be put off be the terminology. They use disability but it equally applies to illness. Many of our members are receiving this payment.

In order to qualify, the child must have a severe disability that is likely to last for at least one year and:

  • Be aged under 16

  • Live at home with the person claiming the allowance

  • Meet the medical criteria

  • Be ordinarily resident in the State

In addition, the person claiming the allowance for the child must:

  • Provide for the care of the child

  • Be resident in the State.

Medical Criteria

Eligibility for Domiciliary Care Allowance is not based on the type of impairment or disease, but on the resulting lack of function of body or mind which means the child needs extra care and attention. The Department’s Medical Assessor will take the following into account before giving his/her opinion on whether the child meets the medical criteria:

  • Review the history of the case

  • Consider all medical reports received

  • Have regard to the description of the care and attention required by the child given by the parent/guardian.

Reviews And Appeals

If your application is refused on medical grounds, you may submit additional information and ask for the case to be reviewed by a different Medical Assessor. If you are not satisfied with the outcome of this review, or wish to appeal on other grounds, you can appeal the decision to the social welfare appeals office.  

Hospital stays
Payment may continue for up to 13 weeks if the child is getting medical or other treatment in hospital.

Application                                                                                             You should complete Parts 1 to 5 of the application form and have your child’s GP complete parts 6 and 7. Please ensure that you attach any reports or assessments relevant to your child’s disability.

 http://www.welfare.ie/EN/Publications/sw127/Pages/2Whomayqualify.aspx

Should you have any questions about this benefit, any issues with claiming this benefit or would like to discuss it with someone please contact our email address. 

Should you wish to contribute to this article from your experience please contact us.