Skip to main content
Normal View

One-Parent Family Payment

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 12 November 2020

Thursday, 12 November 2020

Questions (277)

Pearse Doherty

Question:

277. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Social Protection when an appeal decision will issue to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36047/20]

View answer

Written answers

One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is a payment for men and women under 66 who are bringing children up without the support of a partner. To get this payment, the applicant must satisfy certain conditions, including that the he or she must not be living with a spouse, civil partner or co-habiting with a person.

The person concerned made an application for One Parent Family Payment (OFP) on the 23rd January 2020. She stated on her application form that she separated from husband in August 2019, but that they were still living under the same roof. The customer continued to receive a separate Increase for A Qualified Adult (IQA) payment on her husband’s Jobseeker claim.

A Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) submitted a report on 14th May 2020 indicating that she believed that the person was co-habiting and thus ineligible for OFP. However, OFP was awarded in error on 18th May 2020, and paid with effect from 23rd January 2020.

The customer requested a change of address in May 2020, which resulted in the details of both relevant claim being examined. On 4th June 2020, the SWI advised the INTREO office again of her belief that the person was co-habiting; and based on this report, a disqualification letter was issued to the customer, effective from the date of the claim application in January 2020. The customer was advised of her right of appeal.

An affidavit was received from the customer in June 2020 and this was forwarded to the SWI for consideration. An official appeal has, however, not as yet been received in relation to this matter.

The customer has made a new application for OFP on 5th November 2020, and this has been forwarded to the SWI. A decision has not been made as yet regarding this claim. In the interim, the customer is still in receipt of a weekly IQA payment on her husband’s claim.

I trust this clarifies the position at this time.

Top
Share