Disability allowance and work

Kenobii

My brother has been on disability allowance for autism for the last 5 years, he is 23 and is thinking about going back to college in September and possibly taking up a part time job before then.

Is there anything he needs to do for either college or a part time job? Is there particular jobs he would only be allowed to do, if any at all?
Is there anything I can do to help him?

lughildanach

First of all make sure he is on Disability Allowance. Rules for Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension are completely different.

If he is studying full-time time, he needs to be careful if he is also on Rent Supplement. In those circumstances he will need to make application for Back to Education Allowance. If he isn't on Rent Supplement, then he can stay on Disability Allowance if he prefers (this will also allow him to obtain SUSI grant if that applies to his course).

For work, he is permitted to do rehabilitative or therapeutic work while on Disability Allowance. To show that the work is rehabilitative/therapeutic, he should get a letter from his GP confirming this, and send to the Department. He does not need their permission before starting the work, but should send the letter sent to them to cover himself.

The first 120 euro from his work is disregarded. 50% of the balance is assessed up to wages of 350/week, the full amount over 350/week is deducted.

Can earn 427/week without it affecting medical card entitlement, and can still retain medical card in some circumstances even if above that limit.

0xzmro3n4y7lb5

lughildanach wrote: »

First of all make sure he is on Disability Allowance. Rules for Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension are completely different.

If he is studying full-time time, he needs to be careful if he is also on Rent Supplement. In those circumstances he will need to make application for Back to Education Allowance. If he isn't on Rent Supplement, then he can stay on Disability Allowance if he prefers (this will also allow him to obtain SUSI grant if that applies to his course).

For work, he is permitted to do rehabilitative or therapeutic work while on Disability Allowance. To show that the work is rehabilitative/therapeutic, he should get a letter from his GP confirming this, and send to the Department. He does not need their permission before starting the work, but should send the letter sent to them to cover himself.

The first 120 euro from his work is disregarded. 50% of the balance is assessed up to wages of 350/week, the full amount over 350/week is deducted.

Can earn 427/week without it affecting medical card entitlement, and can still retain medical card in some circumstances even if above that limit.

I think the rehabilitative or therapeutic part is gone now.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_and_work/disability_payments_and_work.html

lughildanach

Kolten Embarrassed Stage wrote: »

I think the rehabilitative or therapeutic part is gone now.

https://www.citizensinformation.ie/en/social_welfare/social_welfare_payments/social_welfare_payments_and_work/disability_payments_and_work.html

Great. Didn't realise they had changed this. Seems that all person has to do now is notify Department when they start work.

Wanderer78

Kenobii wrote:

My brother has been on disability allowance for autism for the last 5 years, he is 23 and is thinking about going back to college in September and possibly taking up a part time job before then.

Ideally if he could get advice and support from an autism service or support group for ideal jobs would be great to, many work environments aren't well suited for autistic people, if he ends up in the wrong environment, he could become overwhelmed. Third level disability services can be great, make sure he checks in with them to