Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2016
149. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection why a person (details supplied) was informed that on diagnosis and transfer from jobseeker's allowance to disability allowance it was a requirement that they report to their local social protection office, that evidence of just a savings account prior to proposed marriage was proof of cohabiting; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17386/16]
View answerI confirm an application for disability allowance (DA) was received from the person in question on 4 March 2016. DA is a means-tested scheme and the way means are assessed is laid down in social welfare legislation. On 8 April 2016 the deciding officer (DO) who was dealing with her DA application wrote to the person concerned requesting certain financial details which were necessary in order to carry out a means test.
On 22 April 2016, this information was returned to DA section and the person concerned was awarded DA with effect from 9 March 2016 at the rate applicable to her circumstances in accordance with the evidence available to the DO. The person was notified at that time of the decision and of her rights of review and appeal.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
