Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
516. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person who is seeking the lone-parent payment, and who is estranged from their spouse, is obliged to provide utility bills and bank statements for their ex-spouse (details supplied). [46287/13]
View answerOne parent family payment is made to a parent who is bringing up a child(ren) without the support of spouse or partner. The onus is on the claimant to provide proof that the relationship has ended and that the couple are living separately. The Department has to fully satisfy itself that this is the case before approving payment and is entitled to request any information that it considers necessary in this regard.
When assessing capital for means purposes, the value of any property the claimant has, other than their own home, in which they have to be resident at the time of the claim, is taken into account and a valuation is required for this purpose. The Department takes into account any outstanding mortgage on the property. If the person cannot afford to have the property valued the Department can determine the value of the property based on the current market value of a similar property in the same area.
