Farmers Farm Assist is a means-tested payment for low-income farmers. In 2017, farm income and other income from off-farm self-employment will be assessed at 70% (down from 100%) for Farm Assist, with an additional annual disregard of for €254 each of the first two children and for the third and other children. €381 Farmers will also be able to benefit from the extended social insurance cover for people including eligibility for Invalidity Pension and Optical and Dental Benefits. Rural Social Scheme People participating in the Rural Social Scheme provide services that benefit rural communities. The scheme is aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen/women. There will be 500 additional places on the Rural Social Scheme in 2017 increasing the overall number to 3,100. Treatment Benefit Scheme Dental Benefit will be expanded to include an annual free scale and polish and Optical Benefit will include the option of either free glasses or a contribution of €42 towards the cost of glasses. These measures come into effect in October 2017. Christmas A Christmas Bonus will be paid in December 2016 to people getting a long-term social welfare payment. The bonus will be 85% of the person’s normal weekly payment, with a minimum payment of €20. People getting the following payments will receive the Christmas Bonus: State Pensions and Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and Guardian’s Payments Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance including Jobseeker’s Transitional payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance, and Farm Assist Back to Work Allowance, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Gateway, and Job Initiative
Farmers Farm Assist is a means-tested payment for low-income farmers. In 2017, farm income and other income from off-farm self-employment will be assessed at 70% (down from 100%) for Farm Assist, with an additional annual disregard of €254 for each of the first two children and €381 for the third and other children. Farmers will also be able to benefit from the extended social insurance cover for people including eligibility for Invalidity Pension and Optical and Dental Benefits. Rural Social Scheme People participating in the Rural Social Scheme provide services that benefit rural communities. The scheme is aimed at low-income farmers and fishermen/women. There will be 500 additional places on the Rural Social Scheme in 2017 increasing the overall number to 3,100. Treatment Benefit Scheme Dental Benefit will be expanded to include an annual free scale and polish and Optical Benefit will include the option of either free glasses or a contribution of €42 towards the cost of glasses. These measures come into effect in October 2017. Christmas A Christmas Bonus will be paid in December 2016 to people getting a long-term social welfare payment. The bonus will be 85% of the person’s normal weekly payment, with a minimum payment of €20. People getting the following payments will receive the Christmas Bonus: State Pensions and Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pensions Invalidity Pension, Blind Pension, Disability Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance, and Guardian’s Payments Long-term Jobseeker’s Allowance including Jobseeker’s Transitional payment, One-Parent Family Payment, Deserted Wife’s Benefit and Allowance, and Farm Assist Back to Work Allowance, Community Employment, Rural Social Scheme, Tús, Gateway, and Job Initiative
relate_2016_11.docx