Social Protection means testing

Can anyone confirm for an aquaintance of mine, that a spouse employed as a HSE home help worker the income of that spouse was exempt from being assessed as means up until 1st jan 2012 ? it seems even the local unemployment office does not have the correct legislation for them to answer the query. having checked the social welfare act 2011..and the consolidation act 2003 it looks as if this is so, and the persons local office told the person involved they are not 100% sure, and are awaiting clarification of the act. can anyone shed some expert light of the subject ?

What payment is this in regard to, eg JSA JSB DA etc.

From what i have been told Pudds, i believe both ...jsa for 15 months and then d/a for 9 months.

Since January 2012, income earned as a home help funded by the HSE is fully assessable for the purposes of SW means tests.

It was disregarded prior to that date.

http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Means-Testing.aspx

Thank you kindly Gipimann, as the person found it incredible the local welfare office didnt have copies of the legislation, and needed to seek clarification of same. ? have now after your confirmation downloaded and given copy of said welfare act 2011, consolidation act 2003 to person involved. who is very grareful for your assistance Gipimann.