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Health and
Safety Benefit
Information
Health
and Safety Benefit is a weekly payment for working women who are
pregnant or breastfeeding, and who are granted Health and Safety
Leave by their employer. This happens if the employer cannot remove
a risk to her health while she is pregnant or breastfeeding or assign
her alternative 'risk-free' duties.
To qualify,
you must fulfil certain criteria and PRSI contribution conditions.
Your employer will pay the first 21 days of your benefit, and the
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs will pay the
remainder. Your payment is made up of a personal rate and an allowance
for a qualified adult/child dependant(s).
You will be
paid directly into your bank account, or by weekly cheque. To apply,
complete form HSB1 and send it to the address at the end of this
document. Your employer must fill in part 3 of the form. You can
get form HSB 1 from your local social welfare office or from the
website at www.dscfa.ie
Rules
- You must
be a pregnant employee exposed to certain risks in the workplace
or be involved in nightwork, ie spend at least three hours/50%
of your work between 11pm-7am. ·
- You must
have given birth in the last 14 weeks and be involved in nightwork
- You must
be breastfeeding (up to 26 weeks after the birth) and exposed
to certain risks in the workplace. The Health and Safety Authority
provides full details of what these risk are. Their address is
given at the end of this document.
- You must
satisfy the following PRSI conditions:
- Have at
least 13 weeks PRSI paid in the 12 months immediately before the
date your baby is due, or
- 39 weeks
paid since you first started work and 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited
in the relevant tax year. This is the last complete tax year before
the benefit year. E.g. for claims made in 2005, the relevant tax
year is 1999-2000.
Rates
The Personal
rate is £85.50 (108.56 euro) per week, if you earn more than £70.00
(88.88 euro) per week. Qualified adults are paid £54.00 (68.57 euro)
per week and each dependant child £13.20 (16.76 euro).
If
you earn less, rates are graduated as follows: If you earn:
Less
than £35.00 (44.44 euro) per week: £38.40 (48.76 euro). Qualified
Adult: £35.00 (44.44 euro)
£35.00
(44.44 euro)and less than £50.00 (63.49 euro) per week: £55.20 (70.09
euro) Qualified Adult: £35.00 (44.44 euro)
£50.00
(63.49 euro) and less than £70.00 (88.88 euro): £67.00 (85.07 euro).
Qualified Adult: £35.00 (44.44 euro)
Payment
of Health and Safety Benefit
Health and Safety
Benefit lasts until:
The day on which
you become entitled for Maternity Benefit, if you are pregnant;
14 weeks following
the date on which you gave birth, if you are an employee who has
recently given birth and do nightwork;
26 weeks from
the date on which you gave birth, if you are breastfeeding.
How
to apply
Complete form
HSB1 and return it to the address below.
You must complete
parts 1, 2 and 4-8.
Your employer
must fill in part 3.
Your GP should
fill in part 11.
An application
form for Health & Safety Benefit (pdf format) is available from
the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Where
to apply
Health and
Safety Benefit Section
Social Welfare Services Office
Government Buildings
Balinalee Road
Longford
Tel: (043) 45211(01) 874 8444
Child Benefit
Information
Child Benefit
is payable to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years
of age, or under 19 years of age if the child is in full-time education
or has a disability. You need to send a claim form and the child's
birth certificate to the Child Benefit Section of the Department
of Social, Community and Family Affairs. If your child is over 16
has a disability or is in full-time education, you will need to
send some supporting documents with your application. If you had
a multiple birth you will be entitled to a special grant at the
time of birth and when they are four and twelve years old. Child
benefit is payable at one and a half times the monthly rate for
twins, and at double the monthly rate for triplets and other multiple
births.
Rules
You need to
apply for the payment within three months of the birth of your baby,
enclosing a claim form (CB1) and a copy of the child's birth certificate
(social welfare form). A special FREEPOST envelope will be supplied
with the claim form for your application.
You can get
a birth certificate for your child from the General Register Office.
A special copy will be given to you for social welfare purposes,
which is non-returnable. For further details, please see Registering
the Birth of Your Baby.
If you are applying
for continuation of your Child Benefit for a disabled child or child
in full-time education under 19, you will need to fill in form CB2.
This claim form must be certified by the school/college if your
child is in full-time education, or by a doctor if your child has
a disability.
Rates
The current
monthly rate for the first and second child is:
For third
and subsequent children:
How
to apply
Fill out form
CB1 or CB2 as relevant, enclosing a copy of your baby's birth certificate
or other supporting documentation if you are applying for a child
over 16. Send it FREEPOST to the address below.
Application
forms CB1 (pdf format) & CB2 (pdf format) are available from the
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs.
Where
to apply
Child Benefit
Section
Department of Social,Community and Family Affairs
Social Welfare Services Office
St Oliver Plunkett Road
Letterkenny
Co. Donegal
Tel: (074) 25566 (01) 874 8444
Maternity
Benefit
Information
Maternity Benefit
is a payment made to women on maternity leave from work and who
have paid a certain amount of PRSI (Pay Related Social Insurance).
You need to apply for the payment 6 weeks before you intend
to go on maternity leave. The amount of money paid to you each week
will depend on your earnings. If you are already on certain social
welfare payments then you will receive half-rate Maternity Benefit.
Maternity Benefit
can be paid by cheque which is posted to you each week or directly
into your Bank or Building Society Account. Some employers will
continue to pay an employee, in full, while she is on maternity
leave and require her to remit any social welfare payment to them.
You should check your contract of employment to see what applies
to you.
Length
of Time Maternity Benefit is Paid
Maternity Benefit
is paid for 18 weeks. At least 4 weeks and not more than 14 weeks
leave must be taken before the end of the week in which your baby
is due.
If your baby
is born later than expected and you have less than 4 weeks maternity
leave left, you may be entitled to extend your maternity leave to
ensure that you have a full 4 weeks off following the week of the
birth. In these circumstances Maternity Benefit will continue to
be paid to you until the baby is four weeks old. You need to notify
the Maternity Benefit Section of the Department of Social, Community
and Family Affairs by sending them a letter from your GP stating
the date on which your baby was born.
How
the payment is made
Maternity Benefit
can be paid by cheque which is posted to you each week or directly
into your Bank or Building Society Account (this is known as Direct
Payment). Payment is made each week in advance.
Rules
Maternity Benefit
is paid by the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs
to women who have paid a certain number of PRSI contributions on
their own insurance record and who are in recognised work up to
the first day of their maternity leave. The last day of work can
be within 10 weeks of the expected date of arrival of your baby.
The PRSI contributions
can be from employment or self-employment - classes of PRSI that
count are A, E, H and S (self-employed).
If
you are employed you must have:
- at least
39 weeks PRSI paid in the 12 month period before the first day
of your maternity leave;
- or
- at least
39 weeks PRSI paid since first starting work and, in general,
at least 39 weeks PRSI paid or credited in the last complete tax
year before the year in which your maternity leave commences.
For example, if you are going on maternity leave in October 2000,
the relevant tax year is 1998/1999. If a tax year later than the
relevant tax year has ended before the start of your maternity
leave (in this case 1999/2000) contributions in that tax year
may be used to help you qualify for maternity benefit.
If
you are self-employed you must have:
- 52 weeks
PRSI contributions paid at Class S in the last relevant tax year
before the year in which your claim is made
- or
- 52 weeks
PRSI contributions paid at Class S in the second last relevant
tax year before the year in which your claim is made.
If you are
now self-employed but you were in insurable employment before you
became self-employed, the PRSI contributions (Class A, E and H)
paid by you in that employment may help you qualify for Maternity
Benefit if you do not satisfy the self-employment conditions as
stated above.
If
you are already on a payment
Half-rate Maternity
Benefit is payable if you are getting any one of the following payments:
- One-Parent
Family Payment
- Widow's (Contributory)
Pension
- Widow's (Non-Contributory)
Pension
- Deserted
Wife's Benefit
- Prisoner's
Wife's Allowance
Insurance
from Employment in Another Country:
If you were
previously employed in a country covered by EU Regulations, and
you were paying social insurance, you may have your insurance record
in that country added to your Irish PRSI contributions provided
that you have paid at least one full rate PRSI contribution since
your return to Ireland.
Rates
How
the Amount of Maternity Benefit is Calculated
If you are
employed, your weekly rate of Maternity Benefit is calculated by
dividing your gross income in the relevant tax year by the number
of weeks you actually worked in that year - 70% of this amount is
payable weekly, subject to a minimum payment and a maximum payment.
The Relevant Tax Year is the last complete income tax year before
the year in which your maternity leave starts.
If you are self-employed,
your weekly rate of Maternity Benefit is calculated by dividing
your gross income in the relevant tax year by 52 weeks - 70% of
this amount is payable weekly, subject to a minimum payment and
a maximum payment.
Current
rates of payment are:
Minimum Payment:
£98.70 (125.32 euro)
Maximum Payment:
£183.00 (232.36 euro)
How
to apply
You should complete
the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs form MB10
six weeks before you intend to go on Maternity Leave and send it
to the Maternity Benefit Section.
An application
form for Maternity Benefit (in pdf format) is available from the
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs).
Where
to apply
Maternity Benefit
Section
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs,
Social Welfare Services Office,
Government Buildings
Ballinalee Road,
Longford
Telephone: Longford 043-45211 Dublin 01-8748444
One-Parent
Family Payment
Information
One-Parent Family
Payment (OFP) is a payment for men and women who are bringing children
up without the support of a partner. It is payable to an unmarried
person, a widow(er), a prisoner's spouse, a separated or divorced
person, or one whose marriage has been annulled. It is subject to
certain conditions and you must satisfy a means test. If you are
divorced or unmarried, you must also have attempted to seek maintenance
from your child's father.
Your One-Parent
Family Payment is made up of a personal rate and extra amounts for
your dependent children. The amount you receive depends on your
weekly means. If you qualify for the payment, you will receive a
book of payable orders which you can cash weekly at your post office.
You can avail of the Household Budget Scheme, a scheme to help you
manage your bills, if you are receiving the payment. You may also
be eligible for other benefits such as fuel allowance, SWA rent
relief, or a medical card.
Rules
- You must
have the "care and charge" of at least one child, who is under
18 or 18-22 and in full-time education
- The child
must live with you
- You are not
cohabiting
- You have
earnings of £230.76 (293.00 euro) or less per week
- You have
to satisfy a means test: this includes your income, any maintenance
payments you receive, the value of any property other than your
home, any savings, investments or cash income you may have. Vouched
housing costs (mortgage or rent) up to £3,900 a year (£75 per
week) paid to a landlord (excluding a relative) or a lending agency
can be offset against maintenance payments. One-half of the balance
of maintenance is then assessable as means. Claimants who are
receiving maintenance with no allowable housing costs can also
qualify, with one-half of the total maintenance received being
disregarded.
If
you are separated or divorced, you must:
- Have been
separated for at least three months
- Have made
efforts to get maintenance from your spouse
- Be inadequately
maintained by your spouse
If
you are unmarried you will:
- Be required
to seek maintenance from the other parent of your child
If
your spouse is in prison:
- He/she must
have been sentenced to at least six months in prison or have spent
at least six months in custody.
Transitional
Payments
If you are
receiving One-Parent Family Payment and you have earnings above
the prescribed ceiling of £230.76, you may be entitled to a Transitional
Payment that is equivalent to one-half of your rate of One-Parent
Family Payment for up to a maximum of 52 weeks.
You can only
get a Transitional Payment if you have been getting One-Parent Family
Payment for a continuous period of at least 52 weeks. If you qualified
for a Transitional Payment on or after 5 April 2005, you will receive
payment for an aggregate period of 52 weeks in total. If you were
receiving or were entitled to a Transitional Payment before 5 April
2005, you will continue to receive payment for up to 52 weeks. The
new provisions, which date from 5 April 2005, will apply to you
if you ever requalify for a Transitional Payment.
Rates
Personal Rate
Under age 66:
£85.50 (108.56 euro)
Over age 66:
£95.50 (121.26 euro)
(b) Per Child:
£15.20 (19.30 euro)
The amount you
receive depends on your weekly means.
Income from
employment is calculated as follows:
The first £115.38
(146.50 euro) of your weekly earnings is disregarded.
Half the remainder
of your earnings up to £230.76 (292.04 euro) per week is assessed
as means. For example, if you are a lone parent, with one child
and earn £150.00 (190.46 euro) per week, with no other income:
Gross weekly
earnings = £150.00 (190.46 euro), less weekly disregard £115.38
(146.50 euro) = £34.62 (43.96 euro). Half of this is £17.31 (21.98
euro) - your weekly means. If you have no other means you will receive
OFP of £73.50 (93.33 euro) and Child Dependant Allowance of £13.20
(16.76 euro)
If you receive
maintenance your housing costs (i.e. rent or mortgage repayments)
of up to £75.00 (95.23 euro) per week may be disregarded. After
this disregard half of the balance of the maintenance payment is
counted as means.
You must apply
for the One-Parent Family Payment within 3 months of becoming eligible.
The
One-Parent Family Payment and Other Social Welfare Payments
You may be
entitled to half the personal rate of Unemployment Benefit, Disability,
Maternity, Adoptive, Health and Safety or Occupational Injury Benefit
along with your OPFB, for a limited time.
The
One-Parent Family Payment and Work
If you take
up full time work you may be eligible for extra tax allowances under
the Revenue Job Assist scheme.
You can work
in a Community Employment scheme and still retain part or all of
your OFP. Contact your local FÁS office for details.
You can return
to education through the Back to Education Programme and retain
your OFP, under certain conditions. Booklet SW70 explains how this
works and can be obtained from the Department of Social, Family
and Community Affairs. Please see http://www.dsfa.ie/.
If you take
up work in certain jobs or start your own business you may qualify
for a Back to Work Allowance instead of your OFP. See leaflets SW92
and SW93 for details.
How
to apply
Complete form
OFP1 and send it with the relevant supporting documents to the Department
of Social, Community and Family Affairs at the address below.
Where
to apply
Pension Services
Office
Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs
College Road
Sligo
Tel: (071) 69800/48376 (01) 704 3376
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