The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
F.I.S. AND STUDENT GRANTS
Question: My wife and I are applying for the Family Income Supplement (FIS) for our family of two children. We are unsure about what income is included in the means test for this payment. For example, will my wife’s student grant be included?
Answer: Family Income Supplement (FIS) is a weekly tax-free payment for families, including one-parent families, at work on low pay. The combined income of a couple (married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting) is taken into account when your means are assessed for FIS. Income from any source, including a student grant, is assessed in the means test. However, the following payments are not counted as family income:
Child Benefit or any income your children may have Guardian’s payments Supplementary Welfare Allowance Domiciliary Care Allowance Foster Child Allowance Rent Allowance for tenants affected by the de-control of rents Income from a charitable organisation Income from providing accommodation to students studying Irish in Gaeltacht areas
Capital is not assessed. This includes property you own, bank accounts and cars. However, bank accounts may be checked for other income sources and income derived from the use of a car that you own may be assessed (for example as a taxi).
The main items counted as income are a couple=92s assessable earnings, any extra earned in employment (such as pay for overtime, bonuses, allowances or commission), income from self-employment, occupational pensions, social welfare payments (apart from those listed above), income from carer=92s payments or rental income from the letting of property or land.
Further information is available from the Citizens Information Centre below. Killarney - 0761 07 7820 Email: killarney@citinfo.ie; Tralee - 0761 07 7860 Email: tralee@ citinfo.ie; Caherciveen - 0761 07 7780 Email: caherciveen@citinfo.ie; Kenmare - 0761 07 7810 Email: kenmare@citinfo.ie; Killorglin - 0761 07 7830 Email: killorglin@ citinfo.ie; Listowel - 0761 07 7840 Email: .listowel@citinfo.ie Phone Centre No: 0761 07 4000.