Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 December 2012
158. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent to which entitlement to partial sick benefit is likely to be affected after 9 January 2013 when entitlement expires in the case a person (details supplied) in County Laois; if they will have an entitlement to disability allowance in view of the fact that their spouse is unemployed and in receipt of unemployment benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [57667/12]
View answerThe person concerned made an application for partial capacity benefit on 1st October 2012. They will be notified of the decision of this application on 21st December 2012.
Partial capacity benefit is a social welfare scheme which allows a person with a reduced capacity to work to return to work or self-employment, and continue to receive a payment from the Department of Social Protection.
To qualify for partial capacity benefit a person must be currently in receipt of either illness benefit (for a minimum of 6 months) or invalidity pension .
An applicant for partial capacity benefit may not commence employment until they have received written approval to do so from the Department of Social Protection.
A claimant for partial capacity benefit will continue to have an entitlement to this payment for as long as an entitlement to illness benefit exists. When partial capacity benefit exhausts, the person concerned may apply for disability allowance. Applicants for disability allowance must satisfy the medical eligibility requirements of that scheme and are subject to a means test. Partial capacity benefit is not available to persons in receipt of disability allowance.
