Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 November 2022
641. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection if there has been a change in the way that joint bank accounts are assessed as means (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [54360/22]
View answerThe system of social assistance supports provides payments based on an income need. The means test plays a critical role in determining whether or not an income need arises as a consequence of a particular contingency – such as disability, unemployment or caring. This ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
If a person applies for a social assistance payment and they are married, in a civil partnership or cohabitating, the means of their spouse, civil partner or cohabitant are also taken into account in the means test.
If a person applies for a social insurance payment, they do not have to satisfy a means test. However, if they wish to apply for an increase in their payment for an adult dependant (also called a qualified adult) or child dependants (qualified children) their spouse's, civil partner's or cohabitant's means will be assessed.
The means assessed include income from employment or self-employment, non-social welfare pensions, and the capital value of savings, investments and property, other than the family home. It should be noted that the value of the family home, regardless of who is the legal owner, is never taken into account in this assessment. Where savings, property or other assets are held jointly, the spouse or partner's means is taken to be half of the total amount. The current means testing arrangements are based on the actual means of the spouse or partner at any given time.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
