Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 July 2016
246. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Social Protection to outline the reason a person (details supplied) has been taken off the invalidity pension scheme, is receiving a reduced payment and has lost the household benefit package. [23168/16]
View answerInvalidity pension (IP) is a payment for people who are permanently incapable of work because of illness or incapacity and who satisfy the pay related social insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions.
The person concerned was in receipt of IP up to the 13 June 2012. The person in question applied for partial capacity benefit (PCB) in order to return to employment and was awarded PCB from 9 March 2012. As the person concerned remains in employment she continues to receive PCB at the maximum rate applicable to a person who has a profound incapacity for work which is 100% of the personal rate IP payment. She also receives a living alone allowance and retains her entitlement to a free travel pass. Fuel allowance is not payable with PCB.
Customers in receipt of PCB may retain their household benefits package (HHB) for a period of 2 years after award of PCB, following which a means test is applied to determine continued eligibility for HHB. Following a review of her entitlement to HHB it was determined that her means were in excess of the statutory limit to receive that package and her entitlement ceased from the 14 October 2014.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
