Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 27 November 2014
60. Deputy Willie Penrose asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the position regarding an application for disability allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45704/14]
View answerI confirm that the Department is in receipt of an application for disability allowance from the above named person on 8 November 2014. On completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Disability allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged over 16 and under 66. The disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency test.
The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the quantity and quality of the information they provide in support of their claim.
Any person who is awaiting a decision on their disability allowance application may apply for means-tested supplementary welfare allowance from their local community welfare officer.
