Kerry Deaf Resource Centre Update 11.01.16
HAPPY NEW YEAR
On behalf of our Board, Manager & staff, we would like to wish all our
service users & supporters a very Happy New Year. For those who celebrate
Christmas, we hope you enjoyed the festive celebrations.
Our office re-opened on the 4th of January after a well-earned break. Our
Board & staff look forward to working with you all again in 2016.
GRANTS AVAILABLE TO DEAF & HARD OF HEARING
Throughout the year, we receive regular enquiries on what grants or
entitlements are available to Deaf or hard of hearing individuals and/or
their family?
As we are starting a New Year, we thought it would be useful to put together
a list of the most common allowances that are available in Ireland. Please
remember you may need to be in receipt of a particular type of payment
before you can apply.
DISABILITY ALLOWANCE
Disability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a disability.
You can get Disability Allowance from 16 years of age. If you qualify for
Disability Allowance you may also get extra social welfare benefits with
your payment and other supplementary welfare payments.
http://www.
disability_and_illness/
DOCTOR/HOSPITAL INTERPRETING ACCESS
The Health Service Executive in Co. Kerry will pay for an interpreter for
Doctor/GP appointments as part of our GP Access Policy.
Kerry General Hospital will also pay for interpreting access for
inpatient/outpatient appointments.
Details on how to book an interpreter along with our GP Access Policy are
available at http://kerrydeaf.com/support/
DOMICILIARY GRANT
Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) is a payment to parents/guardians of a
child aged under 16 with a disability, who requires ongoing care and
attention, substantially over and above the care and attention usually
required by a child of the same age. It is not means tested. Parents of a
deaf child have been approved this payment in the past.
We have the forms in our office & will assist you in applying for this
grant. This allowance is paid on a monthly basis.
http://www.
disability_and_illness/
EQUIPMENT GRANTS
The Health Service Executive in Kerry funds a MSAA/RAGS scheme for equipment
for Deaf and hard of hearing via our service & Deafhear Killarney. The
budget as of 2015 was €15,000 between the two organisations.
A completed application form is assessed based on priority. P1 is the
highest priority and the committee try to allocate equipment to P1
applications every 3 months approx. All other equipment is given a P2 status
and is placed on a waiting list. The committee can only fund P2 equipment if
there is funding leftover at the end of the year.
P1 status is usually given to applications for essential equipment such as:
Flashing Light Doorbell/Baby Alarm/ Fire Alarm/ TV & Conversational
Listening Device
P2 is given to pieces of equipment that are seen as non-essential such as:
Alarm Clocks/ Tinnitus Relaxer/ Teleflash/ Other
WORKPLACE EQUIPMENT ADAPTATION GRANT
Intreo Employment Service (formerly known as FAS) provides a grant to
employers to cover the cost of equipment for employees with a disability.
If you have been offered employment or are currently in employment, and
require a more accessible workplace or adapted equipment to do your job, you
or your employer may be able to get a grant towards the costs.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/
COUNCIL TENANTS EQUIPMENT GRANT
If a person lives in a Council House and requires a fire alarm system or
doorbell, an application can be made to their local Council to cover the
cost of equipment.
FREE TRAVEL
Everyone aged 66 and over living permanently in the State is entitled to the
Free Travel Scheme. Some people under 66 also qualify. If you qualify for
free travel, you are issued with a card that you must carry with you when
using public transport.
In some cases, a Free Travel Companion Card is available which allows a
person to travel with the holder (if they are unable to travel alone). Free
Travel Cards are non-transferable and can only be used by the named person.
http://www.
extra_social_welfare_benefits/
HEARING AID GRANT
If you have a medical card or meet qualifying criteria, you can obtain a
hearing aid free of charge via the HSE. Suppliers who have a contract with
the Department of Social Protection may also provide hearing aids.
For all other applicants who meet qualifying criteria, a grant of up to half
the cost of a hearing aid subject to a fixed maximum of €500 (as of 2015)
for each hearing aid every 4 years is available. This grant also pays half
the cost of repairs to hearing aids.
http://www.
disability_and_illness/
HOUSEHOLD BENEFITS PACKAGE
The Household Benefits Package is a package of allowances, which help you
with the costs of running your household. The package is available to
everyone aged over 70 and to people under age 70 in receipt of qualifying
Social Welfare payments.
Qualifying applicants can apply for the following:
Free Electricity Allowance/ Natural Gas Allowance/ Free Television Licence
http://www.
extra_social_welfare_benefits/
JOB INTERVIEW INTERPRETER GRANT
If you are attending job interviews, you may apply for funding to have a
sign language interpreter to attend the interview with you. Funding can also
be provided to cover the costs of an interpreter during an induction period
when you start work.
The Department will pay a fee as per the standard rate for a 3-hour period
using a professionally qualified interpreter. Travel costs for the
interpreter are paid at a set rate. Rates will be differentiated between
professionally qualified interpreters & others.
http://www.welfare.ie/en/
MEDICAL CARD
The Health Service Executive (HSE) issues medical cards, which allows you to
receive certain health services free of charge.
To qualify for a medical card, your weekly income must be below a certain
figure for your family size. Cash income, savings, investments and property
(except for your own home) are taken into account in the means test.
http://www.
edical_card.html
OUR CONTACT DETAILS:
Kerry Deaf Resource Centre.
4 Gas Tce, Tralee, Co. Kerry, IRELAND
V92 Y409
KDRC provides services to Deaf and hard of hearing people at county level
and contributes to national & international issues of equality, access and
rights.
Charity Number CHY20854
To donate, go to: https://www.gofundme.com/
Text (+353) 87 633 4687
Fax (+353) 66 712 0386
Tel (+353) 66 712 0399
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kerrydeaf.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/kerrydeaf
Skype: kerrydeaf (text in advance for appointment)
Can also be contacted via Facetime (by appointment)
& Glide Video Messaging.