The main items taken into account for the means test are:
- all cash income, including most Social Welfare and Health Service Executive payments except Child Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance, Blind Welfare Allowance, Guardian's Payments (Contributory and Non-Contributory) and Respite Care Grant
- for people under 25 years of age, the value of any benefit or privilege for example free board and lodging
- the value of investments and savings or property (but not the value of your home) that you may have.
The value of investments, savings or property (but not the value of your own home) is calculated using the following formula:
Means Test
|
Capital
|
Weekly Means Assessed
|
|
First €5,000
|
Nil
|
|
Next €10,000
|
€1 per €1,000
|
|
Next €25,000
|
€2 per €1,000
|
|
Over €40,000
|
€4 per €1,000
|
If you are married or you are living with someone as husband and wife, we will include the means of your spouse or partner in the means test.