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Q. What budget changes were made to the One-Parent Family
Payments?
22.01.12
For 2012, the upper age limit of the youngest child for new
claimants is reduced from 14 years to 12 years of age. This new
upper age limit does not apply to existing claimants. It is planned
to reduce the youngest child age limit for new claimants to 7 years
of age on a phased basis.
The means test for both new and existing claimants has been amended
from January 2012. When assessing the means of, the amount of
earnings from employment or self-employment that is fully
disregarded is reduced from €146.50 to €130.00 per week. Half the
weekly earnings over this amount continues to be disregarded. Also
from January 2012, if you have earnings above €425 you are not
entitled to any OFP. Up to 2012, if you had been getting OFP for a
continuous period of at least 52 weeks and your earnings went above
€425, you were entitled to a transitional, half-rate payment for 6
months. This transitional payment is discontinued. Existing
recipients of the temporary payment are not affected.
Previously, if you were working and getting OFP you might qualify
for half-rate Jobseeker's Benefit, Illness Benefit or Incapacity
Supplement when you stopped working. From January 2012, these
half-rate payments are not available to new applicants.
Citizens Information: Buncrana 074 9363496; Carndonagh 074 9373741
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