An application for domiciliary care allowance (DCA) was received from the person concerned on 9th July 2018. This application satisfied the qualifying conditions for the allowance and a letter issued on the 21st September 2018 advising of the decision to award the allowance from 1st August 2018, the month following receipt of the application, as provided for under the relevant legislation.
An appeal of the date of award of the allowance was requested and subsequently registered by the Social Welfare Appeals Office on the 8th October 2018. As part of the appeals process the decision has been reviewed by a deciding officer and she has now been notified in a letter dated 7th January 2019 that this DCA claim has been backdated and awarded from the 1st February 2018. This includes a backdating of payment for the maximum six months allowable in respect of the months February to July 2018. Arrears due for this period will be available with the person's January 2019 payment.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.