Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 October 2023
87. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the case of a person (details supplied) regarding their entitlement to partial capacity benefit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46339/23]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit is a scheme which extends the Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension schemes to recognise and respond to the reality that some people in receipt of these payments have a capacity to engage in open market employment while continuing to need to receive some income support from the State.
People in receipt of Invalidity Pension or Illness Benefit (the latter for a minimum of 26 weeks) who wish to return to work may be eligible for Partial Capacity Benefit if their capacity for work is reduced as a result of their medical condition. An application must be received prior to an individual commencing employment. The Department may accept an application if it is received within 21 days of starting work.
The person concerned applied for Partial Capacity Benefit on the 22 September 2023 and their claim was disallowed.
The claimant requested a review of the original decision. Following this review, it was determined that they did not have the required 156 days on Illness Benefit to facilitate a transition to Partial Capacity Benefit. The person concerned had been in receipt of Illness Benefit for 147 days and was not in receipt of that benefit on the day of their Partial Capacity Benefit application as their Illness Benefit claim closed on 4 September 2023.
The claimant was notified of the review decision in correspondence dated 6 October 2023.
The person concerned had requested an appeal of the original decision on 26 September 2023 and notification of an appeal has been received in the PCB section on 18 October 2023. Once the appeal has been decided, the customer will be notified of the outcome.
I trust this clarifies for the Deputy.
