The person concerned applied for Family Income Supplement (FIS) on the 4th December 2015 and was awarded FIS with effect from 26th November 2015. They were awarded FIS at a weekly rate of €38.00 from 26 November 2015 and €41.00 from 7th January 2016 (increase due to budgetary changes in FIS income limits).
The person concerned had her employment contract terminated at the end of 2015 and she then transferred to jobseekers allowance (JA) in January 2016. In February 2016, she recommenced employment and re-claimed and was reinstated on FIS at the original weekly rate of €41.00. In accordance with the rules governing eligibility for FIS, where a person loses but then re-gains eligibility for FIS within the 52 week period from the awarding of the original claim, they requalify at the same rate of FIS for the remainder of the original 52 week period.
On 13 April 2016 the person in question, being dissatisfied, appealed this decision to the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO). On the 1st June 2016 the claim and a submission from the deciding officer was sent to the SWAO. The SWAO will be in touch with the person in question in relation to the progress of the appeal in due course.
The delay in sending the file and submission to the SWAO in this case is regretted. There is, necessarily, some delay in processing a request for appeal in FIS section which may include a review of the decision by a FIS DO and/or a clarification letter to the claimant. Carrying out this review/clarification work often removes the need for an appeal to go ahead as the customer understands better the reason(s) for the decision.
The position regarding processing of FIS appeals is monitored on a regular basis to ensure that any delays are minimised.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
