This allowance helps parents meet the cost of uniforms and footwear for their children. It doesn’t matter whether or not you have children with special needs. The scheme operates from June to September each year and is means tested. The main criteria are you must be in receipt of one of the following: Social welfare […]
special needs
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, […]
Free Nappies Scheme
This arrangement is hard to get information on and seems to vary from county to county. The main benefit is parents can get nappies for free if they have a child with special needs. You can only access the scheme when your child reaches the age of 3 or over because up to this […]
Research reveals increase stress level for parents
Apparently there has been recent research done with mothers of children with ASD that revealed these mothers often have stress hormone (cortisol) levels measuring similar to individuals with chronic stress and trauma such as soldiers in combat! Read the full article here http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/aota/otpractice_vol16issue12/index.php#/9/OnePage
Home Based July Provision
If you have a child with special needs you can apply for Home Based July Provision. This will provide your child with additional tuition for the month of July. If your child school provides a similar service then you should enrol in this because you are unlikely to receive the home base provisions. Like all […]
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 […]
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 […]
Don’t set up a standard will
If you have a child with special needs then you need legal advice on how best to pass on any assets to them when you are gone. Many parents make the mistake of setting out a standard will and not realising the impact this will have in the future. Instead parents need to discuss with […]