John Ellis
Question:133 Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Social Welfare if it is intended to introduce a family income supplement for families whose only income is long-term disability benefit.
Written Answers. - Family Income Supplement.
Family income supplement is a cash payment paid to families with children where the wage earner is on a low income. The purpose of the scheme is to provide a means of increasing the incentive to work of people with dependent children by increasing their take-home pay relative to unemployment payments.
Because of its nature the payment does not apply to social welfare recipients and there are no plans for the introduction of such a scheme for disability benefit recipients. Persons on long-term disability benefit who are permanently incapable of work and who fulfil the contribution conditions have the option of transferring to invalidity pension, the rates of which are higher and the receipt of which entitles a person to free electricity and other allowances under the usual conditions.