Question

I get a Carer’s Allowance for one of my children. My husband is working and we get FIS (Family Income Supplement). I heard that our FIS might be reduced. Can you explain why?

Answer

It was announced in Budget 2012 that income from carer’s payments (Carer’s Benefit and Carer’s Allowance) will be included as means when calculating the amount of Family Income Supplement that you get. The change applies from January 2012 for new applicants and at your yearly renewal for all others.

However, this is to be brought in over 3 years:

· In 2012 one-third (1/3) of any family income (to you or to your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant) from a carer’s payment will be assessed

· In 2013 two-thirds (2/3) of any income from a carer’s payment will be assessed

· In 2014 income from carer’s payments will be fully assessed

For example, if you have been getting a Carer’s Allowance of €204 a week, €68 will now be taken into account as means against your FIS when your FIS is renewed.

In addition, income from working as a home help for the HSE (Health Service Executive) will be assessed for all new FIS claims from January 2012 and on renewal for other claims.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, call 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.

Ceist

Faighim Liúntas Cúramóra do dhuine de mo chuid leanaí. Tá m’fhear céile ag oibriú agus faighimid FIT (Forlíonadh Ioncam Teaghlaigh). Chuala mé gur seans go ndéanfar ár FIT a laghdú. An féidir leat a mhíniú cén fáth dom?

Freagra

Fógraíodh i mBuiséad 2012 go gcuirfear san áireamh ioncam ó íocaíochtaí cúramóra (Sochar Cúramóra agus Liúntas Cúramóra) agus an méid den Fhorlíonadh Ioncam Teaghlaigh a gheobhaidh tú á ríomh. Tiocfaidh an t-athrú i bhfeidhm ó Eanáir 2012 le haghaidh iarratasóirí nua agus ag tráth d’athnuachana bliantúla don uile dhuine eile.

Tá sé seo le tabhairt isteach thar 3 bliana, áfach:

· Déanfar measúnú in 2012 ar an tríú cuid (1/3) d’aon ioncam teaghlaigh (duit nó do do chéile, do pháirtnéir sibhialta nó do chomhchónaitheoir) ó íocaíocht chúramóra

· Déanfar measúnú in 2013 ar dhá thriain (2/3) d’aon ioncam teaghlaigh ó íocaíocht chúramóra

· Déanfar measúnú iomlán in 2014 ar ioncam ó íocaíocht chúramóra

Mar shampla, má bhí Liúntas Cúramóra €204 á fháil sa tseachtain, cuirfear €68 san áireamh mar mhaoin i leith do FIT nuair a dhéanfar do FIT a athnuachan.

Sa mhullach air sin, déanfar measúnú ar ioncam ó oibriú mar chúntóir baile don FSS (Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte) don uile éileamh nua FIT ó Eanáir 2012 agus ag tráth na hathnuachana i dtaca le héilimh eile.

Question

I get Rent Supplement for my wife and myself and I hear that it is to be reduced. Can you tell me by how much?

Answer

From 1 January 2012 couples must now pay a minimum of €35 per week towards their rent. The new minimum contribution by single tenants is now €30 (an increase of €6 per week).

A couple over 65 with an income equal to or less than the State Pension (Contributory) for their situation will contribute €35 towards their rent. A couple who both have State Pensions (Contributory) and no other income will also contribute €35 towards their rent.

Rent limits were reduced on 1 January 2012 for new claimants. The new limits will apply to existing claimants when their claims are reviewed or if they move to new accommodation.

The maximum amount of Rent Supplement varies according to the area in which you live. You can find out the limits for your area from the Department of Social Protection representative in your local health centre, from your local Citizens Information Centre or on citizensinformation.ie.

Note that income from working as a home help for the HSE (Health Service Executive) will now be taken into account in the means test for Rent Supplement.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, call 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.

Ceist

Faighim Forlíonadh Cíosa do mo bhean chéile agus dom féin agus chuala mé go bhfuil sé seo le laghdú. An féidir leat mé a chur ar an eolas faoin méid a laghdófar é seo?

Freagra

Ón 1 Eanáir 2012, ní mór do lanúnacha anois €35 sa tseachtain ar a laghad a íoc i dtreo a gcíosa. Is í an íos-ranníocaíocht nua ag tionóntaí aonair €30 (méadú €6 sa tseachtain).

Ranníocfaidh lanúineacha níos sine ná 65 bliain d’aois ag a bhfuil ioncam cothrom le nó faoin bPinsean Stáit (Ranníocach) dá gcás féin, €35 i dtreo a gcíosa. Ranníocfaidh lanúineacha a bhfuil Pinsin Stáit (Ranníocach) acu beirt agus ioncam ar bith eile €35 freisin i dtreo a gcíosa.

Rinneadh teorainneacha cíosa a laghdú ón 1 Eanáir 2012 d’éilitheoirí nua. Baineann na teorainneacha nua le héilitheoirí reatha nuair a dhéantar athbhreithniú ar a n-éilimh nó má bhogann siad chuig cóiríocht nua.

Athraíonn an t-uasmhéid den Fhorlíonadh Cíosa de réir an cheantair ina gcónaíonn tú. Is féidir leat eolas a fháil faoi na teorainneacha do do cheantar ón ionadaí den Roinn Coimirce Sóisialaí i d’ionad sláinte áitiúil, ó d’Ionad Faisnéise do Shaoránaigh nó ag citizensinformation.ie.

Tabhair faoi deara go gcuirfear san áireamh anois ioncam ó oibriú mar chúntóir baile don FSS (Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte) sa tástáil mhaoine don Fhorlíonadh Cíosa.

Question

I don’t really understand how social welfare payments are taxed. Can you explain?

Answer

If you have a social welfare payment and another source of income, you may have to pay tax on your combined income. Some social welfare payments are not taxable, but most long-term payments, such as old age pensions or widowed people’s pensions are. Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension are also taxable.

Your taxable social welfare payment and your other income are added together. You are taxed on the total amount. There is no mechanism for taxing your social welfare pension at source (before it is paid to you). Your other income determines how tax due is paid.

For example, you are getting a State Pension (Contributory) and an occupational pension. Your occupational pension is taxed through the PAYE system in the same way as a wage or salary. This means that you get your tax credits in the normal way.

In order to tax your social welfare pension, your annual tax credits are reduced by the tax liability on your social welfare pension. You then effectively pay tax on both the pensions, but it is collected from the occupational pension. For higher incomes, the standard rate cut-off point will also be reduced. The technical term for this is coding-inof credits. The same arrangement applies if you have income from a job as well as a social welfare pension.

If your social welfare pension was not coded in, you would have to pay tax as a self-employed person and in a lump sum by 31 October each year.

If your other source of income is not taxed on the PAYE system, for example, you have investment income or you have an occupational pension from abroad, then you are classed as a self-employed person and your tax is payable annually by self-assessment, due by 31 October each year.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, call 0761 07 4000.

Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.

Ceist

Is ar éigean a thuigim conas a ghearrtar cáin ar íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh. An féidir leat a mhíniú dom?

Freagra

Má tá agat íocaíocht leasa shóisialaigh agus foinse eile ioncaim, b’fhéidir go mbeidh ort cáin a íoc ar d’ioncam comhcheangailte. Níl roinnt íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh incháinithe, ach tá an chuid is mó d’íocaíochtaí fadtéarma, ar nós pinsin seanaoise nó pinsin bhaintrí/bhaintreach fir. Ina theannta sin, tá Sochar Breoiteachta agus Pinsean Easláine incháinithe.

Déantar d’íocaíocht incháinithe leasa shóisialaigh agus d’ioncam eile a shuimiú le chéile. Gearrtar cáin ort ar an tsuim iomlán. Ní ann d’aon mheicníocht chun cáin a ghearradh ar do phinsean leasa shóisialaigh ag an bhfoinse (sula n-íoctar leat é). Deimhníonn d’ioncam eile an méid cánach atá le híoc.

Mar shampla, tá Pinsean Stáit (Ranníocach) á fháil agat mar aon le pinsean gairme. Déantar cáin a ghearradh ar do phinsean gairme tríd an gcóras ÍMAT ar an mbealach céanna a ghearrtar cáin ar phá nó ar thuarastal. Ciallaíonn seo go bhfaigheann tú do chuid creidmheasanna cánach ar an ngnáthbhealach.

D’fhonn cáin a ghearradh ar do phinsean leasa shóisialaigh, laghdaíonn an dliteanas cánach ar do phinsean leasa shóisialaigh do chreidmheasanna bliantúla cánach. Go héifeachtach, íocann tú, dá bharr sin, cáin ar an dá phinsean, ach bailítear é ón bpinsean gairme. I dtaca le hioncaim níos airde, laghdófar scoithphointe an ráta chaighdeánaigh freisin. Is é an téarma teicniúil don nós seo codú creidmheasanna. Cuirtear an nós imeachta céanna i bhfeidhm má tá ioncam agat ó phost mar aon le pinsean leasa shóisialaigh.

Murar códaíodh do phinsean leasa shóisialaigh, bheadh cáin le híoc air ina chnapshuim faoin 31 Deireadh Fómhair gach bliain mar dhuine féinfhostaithe.

Mura n-íocann tú cáin ar an bhfoinse eile ioncaim atá agat tríd an gcóras ÍMAT, cuir i gcás go bhfuil pinsean gairme agat ó thír thar lear nó ioncam infheistíochta eile, cuirtear thú san aicme féinfhostaithe agus tá do cháin iníoctha go bliantúil trí fhéinmheasúnú, a bhíonn le híoc faoin 31 Deireadh Fómhair gach bliain.

Question

I am a bit confused by the new Household Charge. Who has to pay it?

Answer

In general, if you own a residential property in Ireland, you must pay the Household Charge. People on social welfare payments must pay the charge unless they qualify for one of the specific exemptions or waivers listed below.

For private rented accommodation, the landlord pays the charge, not the tenant.

Properties exempt from the Household Charge include those:

· Owned by government departments or the Health Service Executive (HSE) or

· Owned by local authorities or voluntary housing bodies (including dwellings not yet fully bought from a local authority under the shared ownership scheme) or

· In a discretionary trust or owned by an approved charity or

· Which are part of the trading stock of a business and have not been sold or been the source of any income since construction or

· Which are liable for commercial rates and

· Mobile homes.

People who do not have to pay the charge

If you have moved out of the property due to a long-term mental or physical infirmity you do not have to pay – for example, if you are in a nursing home or moved in with relatives because of your need for care. (However, if you were living in the property on 1 January this year, you must pay the charge for 2012.)

If you were entitled to Mortgage Interest Supplement on 1 January 2012, you qualify for a waiver. People living in certain unfinished housing estates also qualify for waivers for 2012 and 2013. Details of qualifying estates are on householdcharge.ie.

You must register the property in order to claim a waiver.

Further information is available from Citizens Information Centres and from the Citizens Information Phone Service, LoCall 1890 777 121.

Know Your Rights columns cover topical subjects every month in a question-and-answer format. They are published by the Citizens Information Board online and syndicated through Citizens Information Services to local newspapers around Ireland.

Ceist

Tá beagán de mhearbhall orm faoin Muirear Teaghlaigh nua. Cé a íocann an muirear seo?

Freagra

Go ginearálta, má tá réadmhaoin chonáithe agat in Éirinn, ní mór duit an Muirear Teaghlaigha íoc. Ní mór do dhaoine ag a bhfuil íocaíochtaí leasa shóisialaigh á bhfáil mura gcáilítear iad le haghaidh ceann amháin de na díolúintí nó de na tarscaoiltí sonracha a liostaítear thíos.

Maidir le cóiríocht phríobháideach ar cíos, íocann an tiarna talún an muirear, seachas an tionóntaí.

I measc na réadmhaoine nach bhfuil an Muirear Teaghlaigh le híoc orthu tá an méid a leanas:

· Réadmhaoin faoi úinéireacht ag ranna rialtais nó Feidhmeannacht na Seirbhíse Sláinte (FSS) nó

· Réadmhaoin faoi úinéireacht údarás áitiúil nó chomhlachtaí deonacha tithíochta (lena n-áirítear áitribh nach bhfuil ceannaithe go hiomlán ó údarás áitiúil go fóill faoin scéim comhúinéireachta) nó

· Réadmhaoin in iontaobhas lánroghnach ag carthanacht cheadaithe nó

· Réadmhaoin atá mar chuid de stoc trádála gnólachta agus nár díoladh iad nó nach raibh siad ina bhfoinse d’aon ioncam ó tógadh iad nó

· Réadmhaoin atá dlite le rátaí tráchtála agus

· Tithe soghluaiste.

Daoine nach bhfuil orthu an muirear a íoc

Má bhog tú amach as an réadmhaoin de bharr éiglíocht fhadtéarma mheabhrach nó fhisiciúil, níl ort an muirear a íoc – mar shampla, má tá tú i dteach altranais nó má bhog tú isteach le gaolta de bharr go dteastaíonn cúram uait. (Má bhí cónaí ort sa réadmhaoin, áfach, an 1 Eanáir i mbliana, ní mór duit an muirear a íoc don bhliain 2012.)

Má bhí tú i dteideal Forlíonadh Ús Morgáiste a fháil an 1 Eanáir 2012, cáilítear thú le tarscaoileadh a fháil. Déantar daoine ar a bhfuil cónaí in eastáit tithíochta nach bhfuiltear críochnaithe lena dtógáil a cháiliú le haghaidh tarscaoiltí le haghaidh 2012 agus 2013. Tá fáil ar shonraí faoi eastáit incháilithe ar householdcharge.ie.

Ní mór duit an réadmhaoin a chlárú d’fhonn tarscaoileadh a éileamh.