This page outlines the financial supports which may apply to autistic children and their families. Receiving an autism diagnosis does not automatically entitle an individual to financial supports or assistance. Support is dependent on two things; nature of disability and in some cases, there will be a means test for some supports. The below information is an overview of some of the supports that are available to a family.
This is a payment made to people between the age of 16 and 65, who pass a means-test and are thought to be “substantially restricted” from undertaking work which would be otherwise suitable for someone of their age, experience, and qualification. If you qualify for this benefit you may also be eligible for further entitlements such as the household utility package and a free travel pass. For further information see our explainer below.
In order to qualify for Disability Allowance, you must meet the criteria of the scheme and supply medical evidence to support this. You must also pass a Means Test, which assesses all your sources of income. You must earn below a certain amount to qualify through the Means Test. For further information, see our application guide.
Domiciliary Care Allowance is a monthly payment to fund support for children with significant complex needs, including some autistic children. This payment is not based on any one disability, but on the impact of the disability. It applies to children “with a severe disability requiring ongoing care and attention substantially over and above that usually needed by a child of the same age.” Please note that terms such as ‘severe’ or ‘mild’ are not the most accurate in the case of autism. It would be more accurate to say Domiciliary Care Allowance applies to autistic children with higher support needs but not necessarily all autistic children. Once your child reaches this age, payment will cease but they will be eligible to apply for Disability Allowance. See our explainer here:
Applying for Domiciliary Care Allowance
This payment comes from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and is NOT means-tested. This means that your child’s care needs are the only deciding factor for receiving payment, and DCA can be claimed alongside other payments such as Child Benefit. Children receiving DCA are automatically qualified for a Medical Card. The application form for DCA is long and complicated. We recommend you complete it gradually over several days. See our explainer on how to apply for DCA below:
Appeals
If your application for Domiciliary Care Allowance is refused, this is not necessarily final.You have the right to have your application reviewed and to appeal the decision: Over 70% of refusals for DCA were reversed in 2020 through this method. The most common reason for refusal is a lack of supporting information, so carefully review documents relating to your child’s care.Make sure you make your appeal within 21 days of hearing the decision. See our explainer on how to make your appeal below.
Carers’ Allowance is a means-tested payment paid to people who provide full-time care to a child or adult who needs support because of age, disability, or illness (including mental health illness). In qualifying for a carer payment, you may also be entitled to access other services such as Free Household Benefits (if you are living with the person you are caring for) and a free travel pass and a Carer GP visit card. For more information on Carer’s Allowance, see our explainers below
You can claim an Incapacitated Child Tax Credit if you are the parent or guardian of a child who is permanently incapacitated, either physically or mentally. To qualify the child must be either:
- Under 18 years of age, or
- Over 18 years of age and unable to support themselves. In this situation the child must have become permanently incapacitated before they were 21, or after they were 21 if they were still in full-time education or training for a trade or profession for a minimum of 2 years.
A Home Carer Tax Credit is a tax credit given to married couples or civil partners (who are jointly assessed for tax) where one spouse or civil partner works in the home caring for a dependent person. The tax you are liable to pay is calculated as a percentage of your income. A tax credit is deducted from this to give the actual amount of tax that you have to pay. A tax credit has the effect of reducing your payable tax by the amount of the credit. For more information on this see Citizens Information Home Carer Tax Credit (citizensinformation.ie)
If you live in Ireland and you have a disability, you may get a refund of Value Added Tax (VAT) on certain special aids and appliances that you need. In some cases, people who pay for aids and appliances that are for the exclusive use of a person with a disability can also claim the VAT refund. People with both physical and cognitive disabilities can avail of these refunds.
This scheme of VAT refunds on aids and appliances can also apply to adaptation and installation work being carried out to make a home more suitable for an older person or for a person with a disability.
Some of these financial supports apply to autistic adults as well as children. For more information check here.
A Housing Adaptation Grant for People with a Disability is available from local authorities if you need to make changes to a home to make it more suitable for a person with a physical, sensory or intellectual disability or mental health difficulty. For more information on the above please see Citizens Information.
