Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 December 2013
120. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath has had his medical appliance benefit claim refused on the basis he does not have the necessary contribution record; if same will be reviewed; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52341/13]
View answerEligibility for treatment benefit (including medical appliances) is based on a person’s PRSI record. A claimant must have at least 260 reckonable PRSI contributions paid since first starting work, and 39 such contributions paid or credited in a relevant tax year.
Only PRSI paid at classes A, E, H, or P count towards benefit.
While the person concerned has a full PRSI record, these contributions were paid at class D, reduced-rate public sector PRSI contributions which do not count towards treatment benefit, as a result the person concerned does not qualify.
If the person concerned has a Medical Card, he should contact his local health service executive office, which can provide information about medical appliances available through the HSE scheme.
