Disability Allowance (DA) is a payment for people with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is ‘substantially restricted’ in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable.
Legislation provides that the scheme is subject to a means test, which takes account of the income and capital/assets of the person (and spouse/partner, if applicable) applying for the scheme. While the scheme is subject to a habitual residency requirement, legislation also provides for disqualification from the payment where a person is resident, whether temporarily or permanently, outside the State.
There are no statistics available to show that recipients have ceased their disability allowance as a result of studying abroad. Currently there are in excess of 154,000 persons in receipt of Disability Allowance.
Disability allowance is a qualifying payment for the Back to Education Allowance (BTEA), which in certain circumstances allows for study in Northern Ireland, further details are available at: www.gov.ie/en/service/418e3f-back-to-education-allowance/#operational-guidelines
While there are no plans currently to change the conditions that apply to this scheme, the Department continues to keep the range of income supports available under review. Any proposed changes to schemes need also to be considered in an overall policy and budgetary context.
