Mother and Baby Institutions Payment Scheme: How to Apply

This section explains how you can apply to the Payment Scheme, whether you live in Ireland or overseas. It outlines your options, what to expect during the process, and the information you will need.

You can apply online or by post, and the process is designed to be straightforward. You do not need a solicitor to apply, but you may use a solicitor if you wish to seek legal advice. You can still submit an application even if you do not have all the required information. If you are unsure about any details, the Payment Scheme Office will assist you. An application cannot be progressed without the necessary documents.

If you would like more help before you begin, you can watch a short video explaining how to apply:

The quickest and easiest way to apply is through the online application portal.

You can complete and send your application securely online from wherever you live. If you have any difficulty with the online portal, you can contact the Payment Scheme Office for help. The call centre number has a freephone number if you are calling from the Republic of Ireland, but if you are calling from outside the Republic of Ireland you can ask for a call back and a member of the team will return your call. If you are having trouble uploading documents or using the portal, you can also use the “ask a question” feature within the portal to get support. You can also send a query by email, contact us by phone, or post us a letter, between 9.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m., Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays):

Email: info@paymentscheme.ie

Secure Email for Records: support@paymentscheme.ie

Freephone (calling from Republic of Ireland): 1800 843 354

Phone (calling from abroad): +353 1 522 9992

If you prefer, you can apply using a paper form. You can:

• download an application form here;
• request a printed application form is posted to you by contacting the Payment Scheme Office.

If you are in the Republic of Ireland, application forms are also available at Citizens Information Centres.

If you are living overseas, you can request a paper form by contacting the Payment Scheme Office or your local Irish Embassy or Consulate.

You can return the completed application form to:

Payment Scheme Office,

PO Box 13688,

Waterford,

Ireland.

When you are completing your application, you will be asked to:

• provide some personal details, such as name, address, date of birth and contact information,
• tell us which payments or supports you are applying for,
• name the institution or institutions you were in (if this is unknown, you can still apply), and
• give your best estimate of the dates you were there.

You should include all periods of time you spent in institutions in one application. You can fill in your application at your own pace. It does not have to be completed in one sitting, and you can come back to it later.

You do not need to find or provide institutional records. The Payment Scheme Office will check the records for you as part of the process.

If you do have information or documents that you feel may help, you are welcome to share them.

You must include a certified copy of a valid photo ID.

Accepted forms of ID include:

• passport;
• driving licence;
• Public Services Card;
• other government-issued photo ID.

If you are applying on behalf of someone else as part of a support application, ID will be needed for both you and the person you are applying for.

A certified copy is a photocopy of your ID that has been signed and confirmed by an authorised person.

The person certifying your ID must:

• sign the photocopy;
• include their name and occupation;
• include the date;
• provide contact details.

You do not need to explain why you need the certification. It is enough to say that it is required for an application.

A wide range of professionals can certify your ID. These include:

• solicitors;
• doctors;
• teachers;
• pharmacists;
• members of An Garda Síochána;
• other authorised professionals.

If you live in the United Kingdom, professionals such as police officers, solicitors, teachers, and medical practitioners can certify your ID.

You can also get help from Irish community organisations across Britain that can certify documents for this Scheme.

If you live in another country, ID can be certified by:

• a serving police officer;
• a practising medical professional (doctor, nurse, dentist, therapist);
• a notary, solicitor or Justice of the Peace.

A complete list of who can certify your ID can be found here.

If your ID is out of date or you are having difficulty getting documents, contact the Payment Scheme Office. They will work with you to try to find a solution.

You can contact the Payment Scheme Office from Monday to Friday, 09:00-18:00 GMT:

• By freephone on 1800 843 354 if calling from the Republic of Ireland, or
• On +353 1 522 9992 if calling from abroad (charges may apply), or
• Email at info@paymentscheme.ie to request a copy by post/email

You may need to include other documents depending on the type of application. For example:

• proof of residence if you live outside Ireland and are applying for the Health Support Payment;
• a death certificate and proof that you can act on behalf of the estate (for estate applications);
• legal authority documents if you are making a support application on behalf of someone else.

There are two kinds of affidavits that may be requested by the Scheme.

• An affidavit is a written statement where you swear that the information you give is true. It may be used to support your application if records are missing or incomplete.
• An affidavit where an applicant has died intestate (without a will) and you believe you are the sole Personal Representative of the deceased’s Estate to make this application.

The Scheme may request an affidavit regarding missing or incomplete records and a payment of up to 200 euro towards this can be facilitated upon receiving the document.

An affidavit in the case of an estate application is required to progress an application and the Scheme will not issue payment for this.

An applicant may seek to have their application prioritised due to their health status. Priority health status may be accorded to an application where the applicant has a terminal illness. A letter from the applicant’s GP must be provided in order to grant an application health prioritisation.

You do not need to provide records showing the time spent in an institution.

You can give your best estimate of dates, and the Payment Scheme Office will search the available archives to confirm your time there.

If you do have records, you can include them, but this is not required.

• You can only apply once.
• The application process is free of charge.
• You do not need to use a solicitor.
• You can complete the form yourself or get help from someone you trust, or from the support services available.

You can get help from someone like a family member or social worker to fill in your application. However, you must complete and sign all documents yourself. The Scheme will only speak to you unless you give permission for someone else. For privacy reasons, you need to give this permission each time we contact you (by phone, email, or portal message).

If you choose to engage a solicitor at the beginning of the application process, a letter of authority will be required in order for a solicitor to act on your behalf.

If you wish for the payment of €200 in respect of an affidavit, or the payment of €500 for legal advice in respect of signing the legal waiver, to go directly to your solicitor, the letter of authority must expressly state this.

If you are having difficulty getting documents or completing your application, support is available. You can contact the Payment Scheme Office or use the support services listed here.