John Brady
Question:50. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the refusal rates for those applying for carer’s allowance and disability allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8417/17]
View answerTuesday, 21 February 2017
Questions (50)
Written answers
Carer's Allowance (CA) is a social assistance payment made to carers who are providing full-time care and attention to someone who has a disability such that they require that level of care. As well as providing full-time care and attention, applicants must satisfy a means test and be habitually resident in the State.
In order to qualify for disability allowance (DA), a person must be aged between 16 and 66, satisfy a medical and a means test and be habitually resident in the State.
In January 2017, the latest month for which figures are available, 2,703 applications for CA were decided on. Of these, 964 were disallowed by a deciding officer as the qualifying criteria were not satisfied.
In the same period 2,756 applications for DA were decided on. Of these, 1,318 were disallowed by a deciding officer as the qualifying criteria were not satisfied.
An application for CA or DA can be disallowed because one or more of the qualifying conditions are not satisfied or because the means of the applicant was not below the statutory limit or, in the case of CA applications, insufficient evidence is provided at application stage to establish the need for full-time care and attention.
Applicants are advised of their right to review or appeal when a decision is made on their application and in many cases further evidence is subsequently submitted, leading to a revised decision to award.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the deputy.