Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 November 2022
427. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if the long-term illness benefit is considered a qualifying payment for the fuel allowance and household benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [59199/22]
View answerFuel Allowance is paid to social welfare recipients such as pensioners, people with disabilities, lone parents and the long-term unemployed in recognition of their long-term financial dependence on their social welfare payment for all or most of their income. The reason that Illness Benefit is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance or the Household Benefits Package is that, in the vast majority of cases, they are short-term payments for those who suffer a short period of interruption to their employment. The payments are not means-tested and are based on a person’s PRSI record. The recipients still have an attachment to the labour force and there is an expectation that they will return to the workforce.
Long-term Illness Benefit recipients who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for Invalidity Pension (subject to satisfying the relevant medical criteria and social insurance contributions). Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance (subject to the relevant medical criteria). All recipients of both of these payments are eligible for additional benefits including the Household Benefits Package.
This Department provides Additional Needs Payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
Illness Benefit recipients will receive the €12 increase in the maximum weekly rate of this payment from January 2023.
I hope this clarifies matters for the Deputy.
