Dáil Éireann Debate, Friday - 7 September 2018
1274. Deputy Charlie McConalogue asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of an illness benefit payment for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36381/18]
View answerIllness Benefit (IB) is a payment for persons who are unable to work due to illness and who satisfy certain PRSI contribution conditions. During the course of a claim a person can be referred for examination by one of my Department’s Medical Assessors to ensure that the conditions for receipt of the payment continue to be satisfied.
In the case of the person referred to by the Deputy, IB was disallowed from 27th June 2017 as it was held that it had not been proven that the person concerned was incapable of work.
The decision was appealed and, following a revised decision by the independent Appeals Office, the appeal has been allowed.
The person concerned was paid as a qualifying adult on their spouse’s IB claim during the period they appealed the disallowance of their claim.
All arrears due from 27th June 2017 to 15th July 2017, when his entitlement to IB ended, were paid on 6th June 2018. However, arrears of €362.95 were withheld to offset the amount paid to him as a qualifying adult on his spouse’s IB claim.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
