Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 July 2020
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the correct rate of illness benefit payable in the case of a person (details supplied); if an exceptional needs payment will issue in the meantime; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16708/20]
View answerThe person concerned is claiming Illness Benefit since 4th April 2020 and is being paid at the personal rate of €159 per week.
The rate of Illness Benefit payment is based on a person's weekly earnings in the governing contribution year; for claims made in 2020, that year is 2018. As the person concerned had weekly earnings in 2018 between €220.00-€299.99, she qualifies for Illness Benefit at a rate of €159.00 per week.
The person concerned did not indicate on their application form for Illness Benefit that she wished to claim for her son as a qualified child. A new application form has issued to her today and her entitlement to a qualified child increase will be assessed on receipt of the completed application form.
An IQC is payable where the child is in full-time education and the customer is in receipt of:
- a long-term DEASP payment or
- a short-term payment i.e. JB, JA, IB, Injury Benefit or Health and Safety Benefit for 156 days or has an accumulation of at least 156 days of relevant DEASP payments.
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough income to meet their needs and those of their families. If a person's weekly income is below the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate. The person concerned can receive further details from the Community Welfare Officer at her local Intreo Office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy
