Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2022
610. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding backdating a social welfare payment for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32688/22]
View answerI confirm that my Department received an application for disability allowance (DA) from the above named person on 27 September 2021. She was awarded disability allowance with effect from 29 September 2021.
The person concerned sent requests to the DA section in November 2021 for her claim to be backdated to 13 March 2020. The requests were considered by a deciding officer (DO). Having reviewed all of the evidence submitted in support of her application, the DO decided to award her claim from 18 March 2020. She was notified in writing of this decision on 2 December 2021. Arrears of allowance due for the period from 18 March 2020 to 28 September 2021 issued to her bank account on 8 December 2021.
The person concerned sent a further request to my Department for her claim to be backdated to when she was 12 years old. This request was refused and the person in question was notified in writing of this decision on 13 January 2022.
Following a further review, the deciding officer decided to backdate her claim to 16 October 2019 under the good cause clause. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 5 May 2022. Arrears of allowance due for the period from 16 October 2019 to 17 March 2020 issued to her bank account on 11 May 2022.
She lodged an appeal with the independent social welfare appeals office (SWAO) requesting that her claim is backdated to her 18 February 2015. All the relevant papers requested by that office were prepared and submitted by this department to the SWAO who will be in touch with the person in due course in relation to the progress of the appeal.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
