A person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance may make an application for Disability Allowance.
Jobseeker’s Allowance should continue to be paid until a decision, including an Appeal where applicable, is made on the Disability Allowance claim.
If the application for Disability Allowance is unsuccessful for failing to satisfy the medical eligibility criteria for receipt of Disability Allowance, payment of Jobseeker’s Allowance may continue, subject to all qualifying conditions being satisfied.
If the application for Disability Allowance is unsuccessful but the person does not satisfy all the Jobseeker’s Allowance qualifying conditions including being capable of work, the person could apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment from their local Community Welfare Services.
Disability Allowance (DA) 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 assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions. Assessment is based on how the persons disability restricts their capacity to work.
The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances, and the information they provide in support of their claim. An applicant for DA can remain on their current welfare payment until they await a decision on their DA application. Where DA is awarded, they will transition to their new DA payment. A disallowance on DA will not impact their Jobseekers payment.
When an application for DA is processed, the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome in writing.
The Christmas Bonus is payable to recipients of DA who are in payment at the date that this bonus is due to be paid.
My Department’s Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) is available to DA customers. Springboard courses are supported through the BTEA. For a part-time springboard course, this does not impact the payment of DA providing they receive no payment while studying.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
