Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 July 2020
485. Deputy Emer Higgins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for long delays in assessing applications for carer’s allowance; the reason a person (details supplied) has been waiting over 13 weeks; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13797/20]
View answerCarer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, property, (except their own home) or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income, for example occupational pensions, or pensions or benefits from another country.
There are no delays in the processing of new carer's allowance applications with the average processing time currently at 5 weeks. Reviews can take longer, particularly at this time, where we have seen a substantial number of requests for review of entitlements received since March, due to the carer and/or spouse losing their employment throughout the Covid-19 pandemic.
The person concerned is in receipt of CA since 5 October 2017. As a result of weekly means assessed this was awarded at a lower rate of pay.
On 21 March 2020 the person concerned contacted the Department to request a reassessment of her CA as her spouse’s employment was terminating on 22 March 2020 due to Covid-19.
The outcome of the reassessment is that the person concerned has been awarded the maximum rate of CA from 19 March 2020. Arrears of allowance from 19 March 2020 to 2 July 2020 will issue to her nominated bank account on 2 July 2020.
The person concerned was notified on 26 June 2020 of this outcome and of her right of review and appeal.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
