Niamh Smyth
Question:725. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will expedite a review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47717/23]
View answerTuesday, 7 November 2023
Questions (725)
Written answers
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.
An application for DA in respect of the person concerned was received on 19 October 2022 and they were awarded full maximum personal rate from that date.
Correspondence from the person concerned was received by the DA section on 16 June 2023 advising of a change in their circumstances and submitted supporting documentation.
Based on the information received, a review of the claim was undertaken. Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 28 August 2023, requesting completion of a form in relation to their spouse.
Social welfare legislation provides that, for social assistance schemes, all income and capital (such as savings, investments and property other than the family home) belonging to the claimant and his or her spouse/partner, where applicable, are assessable for means assessment purposes.
The person concerned supplied their spouse’s self-assessed Income Tax information for year end 2021. Based on the information received, it was not possible for the deciding officer to determine the current means of the person concerned.
The file has been referred to the Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) to carry out a means assessment in this case. Once the SWI returns their report, a decision will issue directly to the person concerned.
I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.