Lektion 9: English for Social Services

:Patrick Reilly has come to the local Social Welfare office to get some information. :Clerk: Hello. How can I help you? :Reilly: I'd like some information about unemployment benefit. :Clerk: Right. Have you been employed in the last year? :Reilly: Yes. I've had 3 or 4 jobs in the last 2 years but the last company I worked for closed down a couple of weeks ago and now I'm out of work. :Clerk: Did you pay social insurance contributions? :Reilly: Only for the last two months, in my last job. :Clerk: Well, I'm afraid that if you haven't paid contributions for 39 weeks I can't help you.

:Jacky has had a baby but she isn't married, and the baby's father has been sent to prison for two years. :Clerk: Nice looking baby. What's her name? :Jacky: It's a boy, and his name's Lee, and I want to know if I am entitled to child support. :Clerk: Oh, OK. Let's see. Are you married? :Jacky: No I'm not, thank God. And anyway the father's gone away. :Clerk: What do you mean, 'he's gone away'? :Jacky: He's been sent to prison and I want to know if I can claim a prison allowance too. :Clerk: Oh, right, well I'm going to have to ask you some questions and fill in an application form so that we can assess your situation.

The Blind Person's Pension is a means tested payment paid to blind and visually impaired people. To qualify for this pension you will be required to have an eye test given by an ophthalmic surgeon to verify your visual impairment. Certain people with low vision may also qualify.

The payment you receive is made up of a personal rate for you and extra amounts for a qualified adult dependant and any child dependants. You will automatically get a Travel Pass which allows you to travel on State public transport for free. If you are awarded a Blind Person's Pension, you may also qualify for the Blind Welfare Allowance which is a supplementary income maintenance payment.

Blind Pension Rates

For people under the age of 66 the personal rate is 134.80 euros per week and the rate for a qualified dependant is 89.40 euros per week. The increase for dependent children is 16.80 euros per child. Between the ages of 66 and 79 the weekly personal rate is 154 euros and for a qualified dependant it is 101.80 euros. The personal rate for people over 80 is 160.40 euros and for a qualified dependant it is 101.80 euros.

Annie is 73 and in excellent health. Since Annie's husband died, her daughter Carol has been living with her, but Carol has accepted a new job in a different part of the country and will no longer be able to care for her mother. Annie wanted to stay in her own house and perhaps receive visits from a professional carer, but Carol will be happier if her mother is in a residential home providing care, comfort, counselling and an active social life. They haven't chosen a home yet and have been trying to find somewhere which will be covered by her widow's pension and the money they can get from selling Annie's house.

The Social Welfare Department is responsible for a number of social insurance and social assistance schemes, including unemployment, illness, maternity, caring, widowhood, retirement and old age. Payments are generally divided into three groups: Firstly, contributory payments are made on the basis of Social Insurance contributions related to the wages or salary a worker receives. Secondly, Social Assistance (or non-contributory) payments are made on the basis of a means test. Thirdly, payments such as Child Benefit or Free Travel do not depend on a means test or on Social Insurance contributions related to wages or salary.

Payments made under the social insurance system are funded by contributions from employers and employees. Any deficit is met by State subsidy. Entitlement to social insurance benefits depends on the person claiming (the claimant) having paid a certain number of contributions in a specific period of time. On the other hand, social assistance payments do not depend on contributions made by the claimant, and are paid for by State funding.

Social Insurance schemes include for example Old Age Contributory Pension, Retirement Pension, Disability Benefit, and Unemployment Benefit, among others. Social Assistance schemes are financed entirely by the State. One of the basic requirements to qualify for payment under the social assistance schemes is that the claimant must satisfy a means test. Social Assistance schemes include Orphan's Pensions, Lone Parent's Allowance, Unemployment Assistance, and Family Income Supplement among others. Child Benefit is payable in respect of all children regardless of family means.

Payments made under the social insurance system are funded by contributions from employers and employees. Any deficit is met by State subsidy. Entitlement to social insurance benefits depends on the person claiming (the claimant) having paid a certain number of contributions in a specific period of time. On the other hand, social assistance payments do not depend on contributions made by the claimant, and are paid for by State funding.

The Social Welfare Department is responsible for a number of social insurance and social assistance schemes, including unemployment, illness, maternity, caring, widowhood, retirement and old age. Payments are generally divided into three groups: Firstly, contributory payments are made on the basis of Social Insurance contributions related to the wages or salary a worker receives. Secondly, Social Assistance (or non-contributory) payments are made on the basis of a means test. Thirdly, payments such as Child Benefit or Free Travel do not depend on a means test or on Social Insurance contributions related to wages or salary.

Payments made under the social insurance system are funded by contributions from employers and employees. Any deficit is met by State subsidy. Entitlement to social insurance benefits depends on the person claiming (the claimant) having paid a certain number of contributions in a specific period of time. On the other hand, social assistance payments do not depend on contributions made by the claimant, and are paid for by State funding.