Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 January 2024
388. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for full payment of disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2567/24]
View answerDisability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.
My Department received correspondence from the person concerned on 2 May 2023, notifying a change of circumstances regarding their DA. I can confirm that this person's previous means review had been carried out on 19 January 2022. At that time, they were assessed with weekly means of €244.35 resulting in a DA payment rate of €157.50.
Further information was requested and following a review of the information supplied, it was determined that the person concerned had a variation in her means throughout the year. Her DA remained in payment throughout this period but her rate weekly should have increased from 7 June 2023. In November, she commenced employment again but this did not impact her means for DA.
A letter notifying the person of this decision to increase her weekly rate of DA issued on 17 January 2024. The person concerned was notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
There are no arrears due to the person concerned as they were in receipt of Basic Supplementary Welfare throughout 2023 when the DA rate of payment was lower than the entitlement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
