If you are a parent or guardian of a child whose vision is below a certain level, you may be able to claim certain benefits and allowances from the Department of Social Protection and Health Service Executive. This level of vision is set by the Government.

What are we entitled to?

Companion free travel pass

If your child’s vision is below a certain level, they may be entitled to a companion free travel pass from the Department of Social Protection. With this pass your child can travel free (alone or accompanied by one other person over the age of 16) on Dublin Bus, LUAS, Bus Éireann and Iarnrod Éireann services.

Apply to the Free Travel section of the Department of Social Protection or LoCall 1890 500 000 Ext 48345.

Disabled person’s parking card

If your child’s vision is below a certain level and is aged 5 or over, you are entitled to apply for a disabled person’s parking card, which can be used in any vehicle in which the child travels. This card allows the vehicle to be parked in designated disabled parking spaces, disc parking areas and parking meter areas for an unrestricted length of time free of charge.

To apply for a disabled person’s parking card or to renew or replace your card, contact the Disabled Drivers Association, Tel: 094 936 4054 or 094 936 4266, or the Irish Wheelchair Association, Tel: 045 893094.

You can also apply for:

Domiciliary care allowance

If you are a parent or guardian of a child whose vision is below a certain level, you may qualify for domiciliary care allowance. To qualify for this allowance, your child must live at home, be under 16 years of age and must require substantially more care and supervision as a result of their disability. You must also satisfy a means test. The means test will only calculate the financial resources of your child. At 16 years, you can apply for disability allowance, administered by the Department of Social Protection.

Apply to your local health service executive office.

Incapacitated child tax credit

If you are a parent or guardian of a child whose vision is below a certain level and is under the age of 21, you can apply for an additional tax credit. You may still apply for this credit if your child is over the age of 21 and is in full-time education or training for a trade or profession, for a minimum of 2 years.

Apply to your regional revenue office on one of their LoCall numbers listed below:

• Cavan, Monaghan, Donegal, Mayo, Galway, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Offaly, Roscommon, Sligo and Westmeath 1890 777 425
• Dublin City and County 1890 333 425
• Carlow, Kildare, Kilkenny, Laois, Meath, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow 1890 444 425
• Clare, Cork, Kerry and Limerick 1890 222 425

What am I entitled to if I am 16 years or over?

Disability allowance

If your vision is below a certain level and are aged between 16 and 18 years you may be eligible for this weekly payment. To get this payment you must satisfy a means test and you must have a disability that is expected to last for at least one year. Find out more about other qualifying criteria for disability allowance.

Disability allowance is paid directly into your bank account or by a book of payable orders, which you can cash in at your local post office.

Apply to the Disability Allowance section, Longford, Tel: 043 45211.

Blind person’s pension

If your vision is below a certain level, are over 18 years and satisfy a means test, you may be entitled to the blind person’s pension. A means test calculates any income that you may have or property or assets in your name that could provide an income. You should apply for the blind person’s pension four months before your 18th birthday. Blind person’s pension is paid directly into your bank account or by a book of payable orders, which you can cash in at your local post office.

Apply for this payment by contacting the Blind Person’s Pension section of the Department of Social Protection or LoCall 1890 50 00 00 Ext 3371. Applications for blind person’s pension will also be accepted over the telephone.

Blind welfare allowance

If your vision is below a certain level and satisfy a means test, you may be entitled to the blind welfare allowance. Blind welfare allowance is a means tested payment from the Department of Health and Children. This allowance is paid from age 18 to people who are eligible. A means test calculates any income that you may have or property or assets in your name that could provide an income.

Apply to your local health service executive area.