Please note that this information is for people living outside of the Republic of Ireland.
The Mother and Baby Institution Payment scheme is open for applications to anyone who spent time in one of 44 institutions across the Republic of Ireland. Applications to the scheme can online or via a paper application.
Click here for an application.
The Payment is broken down into three sections;
· General Payment
This blog is about the General Payment. There is a link to information regarding the other two payments above.
Entitlement
· in one of the 44 institutions for more than 180 days as a child
· in one of the 44 institutions for at least one night for a reason related to pregnancy
Temporary Absences
If you left and returned to the same institution within a period of 180 days residency will be regarded as continuous by the Case Management Team for the purposes of assessing length of residency.
Applications
Please note that there is no need to obtain legal advice to submit an application. You will not able to claim reimbursement for legal fees connected to completing an application. There is information on legal fees in relation to signing a legal waiver below.
Applications for the General Payment are made as part of the general application to the Payment Scheme. When completing the application, you should tick the box for General Payment is you feel that you may qualify for this.
If you are entitled to a General Payment, but do not apply for it while making your initial application, the Case Management Team should contact you to make you aware of your potential entitlement. You will have an opportunity to amend your application, via a supplementary form, to include the General Payment. This contact maybe made via a letter to you online portal or via post (if you have made a postal application.) Therefore, it is important that you respond to any emails or letters from the Case Management Team. You should return this form within 28 days.
If you have any queries about this please feel free to contact Fréa Renewing Roots at renewingroots@frea.org.uk or Patrick Rodgers 07432 138682, Natalie Hughes-Crean 07849835841 or Ciaran Connolly 07732901782.
Priority applications: Where an applicant has a terminal illness, their application can be prioritised. Tick the box on 4.1.4 of the application and supply a short letter from your GP or consultant to support your application.
Identification
In order for an application to a General Payment to be processed you must supply valid identification. You can do this by uploading:
certified copy of Passport, or
certified copy of Driving Licence
This needs to signed by an authorised signatory. A list of signatories in Britain can be found here gov - Certification of documents (www.gov.ie)
Payment
The total General Support Payment that a Former Resident is entitled to varies based on how long they were in an institution. A breakdown of the different payments is available here.
You will receive confirmation of your eligibility for a General Payment on a ‘Notice of Determination’ sent from the Case Management Team. You will be notified either via your online portal (you will receive an email to your nominated email address advising you to log on to your portal) or via post, depending on how you made you initial application.
If you are entitled to a General Payment this will be made as part of a lump sum, along with other benefits that you may be entitled to.
In order to accept a payment you must complete and return and acceptance forms that includes;
An acceptance form
A legal waiver form
Confirmation of your bank details
within six months of receiving the Notice of Determination.
The Legal Waiver
The legal waiver states that you will not take any legal proceedings or discontinue any legal proceedings against any public body relating to the circumstances to which your application to the Payment Scheme concerns. As this is a legal document you can seek legal advice before signing and returning this form, however you will have to return this within six months of receiving your Notice of Determination.
You are can claim help with fees for independent legal advice sought in relation to signing the waiver.* up to a maximum of €500 excluding VAT. In order to request reimbursement of independent legal fees, you need to submit an invoice or proof of payment with the applicant’s name, Application Reference Number and a full breakdown of costs to the Case Management Team. Payments will not be made directly to a solicitor.
*Please note that you can only claim help with legal costs for advice sought in relation to signing the legal waiver or in submitting an affidavit. Other legal costs are not covered.
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