Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 September 2023
1061. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if he will consider a lower threshold for SUSI qualification in respect of applicants from households in receipt of a widow's pension; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39721/23]
View answerStudent grant applications are means tested on gross income from all sources earned inside and outside the State within a specified reference period.
The Widows’s/Widower’s and Surviving Civil Partner's pension are counted as reckonable income for the purposes of the student grant means test in a similar fashion to other Department of Social Protection payments such as Jobseekers Benefit/Allowance.
However, the Scheme has a number of measures aimed at supporting those who need assistance.
A higher rate of grant called the Special Rate of Grant is available to eligible students who's total reckonable income is under €25,000 in circumstances where that income includes an eligible long term payment as set out in the Student Grant Scheme.
The Widow's/Widowers and Surviving Civil Partner's pension are considered eligible long term payments under the Scheme. This means that families whose reckonable income is under €25,000 and includes one of these pensions may be eligible for the highest form of grant subject to meeting all other eligibility criteria including in respect of residence and nationality.
The Student Grant Scheme lists under Section 22 (4) a number of payments that are not included in calculating reckonable income. These mean that while actual family incomes may exceed €25,000 because the scheme does not count other specified income that the family may be in receipt of their reckonable income may be less for the purposes of eligibility. Some examples of income not counted include:
Child Benefit
Fuel Allowance
Exceptional Needs Payments
Housing Assistance Payments
Living alone allowance
Rent Supplement
The Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant
In addition, student earnings earned outside of term time up to €6552 may be disregarded when calculating reckonable income. Additional income increments may also be allowable where a family has 4 or more children or have two or more children in college.
