Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 July 2022
111. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason that it can take several months to resume a suspended payment in certain cases such as in the case of a person (details supplied); if her Department is undertaking work to reduce these delays and if she will make a statement on the matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34280/22]
View answerDisability Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical examination, a means test and Habitual Residence conditions.
My Department periodically reviews claims to ensure there is continued entitlement.
In this case a medical review was instigated on 4 November 2019. Following review, it was determined the medical evidence submitted did not indicate the person concerned continued to satisfy the necessary medical condition for receipt of DA.
The person concerned was notified on 20 November 2021 of the outcome, the reason for it and of their right of review and/or appeal. The Department terminated the person’s Disability Allowance payment on 15 December 2021 and this was communicated to the customer. The person concerned requested a review, submitting further medical evidence in support of this on 4 January 2022.
Having reviewed the claim, the decision of the Deciding Officer was upheld. The person concerned was notified of same 10 February 2022.
The person concerned submitted an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office in April 2022 and submitted additional comprehensive information regarding their medical condition. A Deciding Officer completed a further review on 8 June 2022, taking account of all information provided and decided that the person concerned met the medical conditions for receipt of DA.
Accordingly, DA was awarded to the person concerned with arrears of allowance due from 15 December 2021 to 8 June 2022 issuing on same date.
The person concerned was notified of this review on 8 June 2022, the reason for it and of their right of review and/or appeal.
Reviews involving ongoing entitlement to Disability Allowance based on medical criteria may involve customers providing further medical evidence over a period of time. It is important that anyone who is advised that their claim is the subject of a review should provide as much information as possible when this information is requested. This will enable a decision to be made more quickly and reduce the likelihood of payment being stopped.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
