Financial Wellbeing is a company dedicated to special needs financial planning & guidance. We hope that after looking through our website that you will get a greater understanding of the financial issues facing you as a parent with a child with special needs. We hope you get a better grasp of benefits, entitlements, tax credits, […]
Financial advice
Domiciliary Care Allowance The Facts
The starting point for all entitlements is Domiciliary Care Allowance. This is a monthly payment for the benefit of your child. It is not means tested. I have nicknamed this the gate opener because when you are in receipt of this allowance then other entitlements are made available to you and your child. The official […]
A good heart is sometimes a bad thing
I sat down with a married couple who have two boys with a rare genetic disorder that has turned their world upside down. Being loving parents and worried about the future, this couple started a savings plan in 1998 and a second plan in 2000. To give credit where credit is due, they lived within […]
9-Crucial Questions
The most important financial questions a parent of a child with special needs must answer YES to. Have you set up a trust and will for your child with special needs? Have you decided your child’s future living arrangements? Have you provided sufficient life cover for when you die? If you become ill long term […]
Diet Supplement Scheme
If your hospital consultant prescribed a special diet for your child with special needs. Then it may be possible to claim an allowance from your health board. As usual this scheme is means tested and you must be in receipt of a social welfare payment. The following is a list of diets that qualify: Low-lactose, […]
New record set for Financial Wellbeing
I am so pleased with myself. A couple I meet last month whose daughter is in the Cope Foundation in Cork rang me up on Wednesday to inform me that they got a cheque in the post for €15,420 because of me. From 2011 onwards, they will also receive just over €5,000 each year till […]
Stay Informed
From years spent assisting parents who have children with special needs, I can only imagine and try to understand the additional pressure parents are under. If it’s not the stress of getting children to school, consultants, hospital appointments or bringing them to speech or occupational therapy, then we also have the worry of providing for […]
Adopting a child with special needs
If you adopt a child with special needs then you are treated the same for all benefits and entitlements. One difference is you will not receive Maternity Benefit but instead you will receive Adoption Benefit. Similar to Maternity Benefit, this is a payment to both employees and self-employed people who meet certain PRSI contributions. Adoptive Benefit is paid […]
Disabled Parking Card
The Disabled Person’s Parking Card is for drivers or passengers with disabilities. Card holders can park in disabled parking spaces. The card is for people whose disability affects their mobility and who currently hold a Primary Medical Certificate. Generally, the card is not issued to anyone under five. The parking card scheme is administered by […]