Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 1 March 2022
489. Deputy Noel Grealish asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons in receipt of the blind pension are regularly reassessed for eligibility, when their medical condition is permanent and many visually impaired persons rarely have a change in financial circumstances and find this process stressful and difficult; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10850/22]
View answerBlind Pension is a means-tested payment payable to persons who are blind and to certain other persons with low vision, aged between 18 and 66 years, who are habitually resident in the State.
Under the means test, assessable income includes any income from employment or self-employment (including income of spouse/partner, where applicable), income from a social security pension from another country and maintenance payments. Recipients are encouraged and supported to pursue employment or self-employment through earning disregards applied at means assessment stage. For example, a recipient can earn up to €140 per week from employment or self-employment without their payment being affected, while weekly earnings of between €120 and €350 are assessed at 50%. Capital assessed as part of the means test includes all monies held in financial institutions or otherwise, the market value of any shares, property, houses or premises owned by a claimant which may or may not be put to commercial use. The first €20,000 of capital held is not assessable as means. The family home is never assessed as part of the means test, regardless of the legal ownership.
Continuous eligibility assessments are generally undertaken every three years in line with Departmental policy to ensure that the customers of the Department continue to receive their correct entitlement.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
