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.