Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 March 2023
838. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a pensioner (details supplied) who is in receipt of other State supports such, as the household benefits package, does not qualify for the living-alone allowance, despite the fact that they are living alone; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13522/23]
View answerA living alone increase is an extra payment for people who live alone, are aged 66 years or over, and are receiving certain social welfare payments. These payments include state pension (contributory and non-contributory), widow(er)’s or surviving partner’s contributory pension, widow(er)’s pension under the occupational injuries benefit scheme, incapacity supplement under the occupational injuries benefit scheme and Deserted wife’s benefit.
The increase is also payable to people living alone, under age 66, who are in receipt of disability allowance, invalidity pension, incapacity supplement and blind pension.
An application for the living alone increase received from the person concerned on 13 October 2022 was disallowed as the person concerned is not in receipt of a qualifying payment (as listed above) and is therefore not eligible to receive this payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
