asked the Minister for Social Welfare the means that are allowed to applicants for unemployment benefit who are married and have one dependent child; and the means that are allowed to single persons making similar applications.
Written Answers. - Assessment of Means for Unemployment Assistance.
142.
It is presumed the Deputy is referring to the assessment of means for unemployment assistance, which is means tested, whereas unemployment benefit is not. The amount of unemployment assistance payable in any case is determined by deducting from the appropriate prescribed rate, the amount of means assessed against the claimant. For example a long term claimant living in an urban area, with an adult dependant and one child dependant could have means of £68.80 and still qualify for a minimum weekly payment of 5p unemployment assistance. A single person, in similar circumstances could qualify for the same payment with means of £34.90.