Michael Ring
Question:629. Deputy Michael Ring asked the Minister for Social Protection when the review of payments to a person (details supplied) will be complete; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39882/23]
View answerWednesday, 20 September 2023
Questions (629)
Written answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
The person concerned has been in receipt of half-rate CA since 27 August 2015 as they were also in receipt of a primary payment in their own right from this Department. Following a request to review the rate of CA, it was decided that the person concerned was entitled to full rate CA from 23 February 2023 as their primary payment ceased on 22 February 2023.
The CA claim for the person concerned was updated and the first CA payment at full rate issued to their nominated post office on 16 March 2023. Arrears due from 23 February 2023 to 15 March 2023 issued to their nominated post office on 16 March 2023. The person concerned was notified on 15 March 2023 of this outcome and of their right of review and appeal.
I can confirm that my department received an application for Disability allowance (DA) from the person concerned on 16 March 2023. The person concerned was awarded DA with effect from 22 February 2023 at a rate of €181.50 as they had means assessed of €323.96. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 23 June 2023. The first payment was made by their chosen payment method on 7 July 2023.
Where a person satisfies the conditions for carer's allowance and is in receipt of another social welfare payment, excluding unemployment payments or supplementary welfare allowance, half rate carer's allowance is payable alongside their existing payment.
As the person concerned was awarded DA from 22 February 2023 their CA claim was re-rated to half rate from that date.
The DA arrears were reduced for amounts received from CA, in excess of their entitlement. Net arrears of DA of €330.00 due from 22 February 2023 to 28 June 2023 issued to the person concerned on 6 July 2023 by her chosen payment method. A letter notifying her that arrears would issue was sent to her home address on 6 July 2023.
The arrears for this period were calculated as follows:
|
Disability Allowance |
From |
To |
No. of Weeks |
Weekly Rate |
Total Amount |
|
Weekly rate of entitlement |
22/02/2023 |
28/06/2023 |
18 |
€148.50 |
€2,673.00 |
|
Fuel Allowance |
22/02/2023 |
11/04/2023 |
7 |
€33.00 |
€231.00 |
|
Total Due |
€2,904.00 |
||||
|
Less Social Welfare payments made during this period |
|||||
|
Excess Carers Allowance (above half rate) |
23/02/2023 |
28/06/2023 |
18 |
€143.00 |
€2,574.00 |
|
TOTAL ARREARS PAYABLE |
€330.00 |
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.