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Social Welfare Payments

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021

Tuesday, 2 November 2021

Questions (600)

Michael Creed

Question:

600. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Cork has had their adult dependent allowance stopped. [52717/21]

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Written answers

An increase for qualified adult (IQA) is a means-tested payment, payable to a State pension (contributory) claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

The means assessed are those of the qualified adult only, and include income from employment, self-employment, non-social welfare pensions and the capital value of property other than the family home, as well as savings. Where property or assets are held jointly, the qualified adult's means are assessed as half of the total value.

Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment.

The person concerned applied for an IQA payment with their State pension (contributory) in respect of their spouse. Initially the IQA means assessment was based on wages paid to the qualified adult for work on the couple’s farm. This gave an entitlement to a reduced rate of IQA. A decision issued in writing to the person concerned on 30 March 2021 and included a breakdown of the means assessment.

However, since the couple’s farm is in joint names, the IQA means assessment should have been based on 50% of total weekly farm income. This revised means assessment exceeded the weekly IQA means limit of €310.

Under the provisions of natural justice, the person concerned was notified of the revised means assessment on 16 April 2021 and afforded an opportunity to respond, prior to a decision being made. The formal revised decision issued on 5 May 2021, confirming that the IQA payment would be stopped from 13 May 2021. An overpayment has not been raised in this case.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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