Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 November 2023
272. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the extent, if any, to which a person (details supplied) can continue to obtain partial social welfare payment while their husband/partner gets an increase in employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [49227/23]
View answerDisability 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.
Social Welfare Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse/partner if applicable) applying to the relevant scheme. Income and assets include income from employment, self-employment, occupational pensions, maintenance payments as well as property owned (other than the family home) and capital such as savings, shares, and other investments.
The assessment of means from the spouse/partner of the Disability Allowance recipient is calculated as follows:
The gross income for the year to date divided by the weeks worked are calculated. Following this, deductions for PRSI, Pension Contribution or Union Dues are applied to calculate a net average, assessable weekly income.
There is a disregard of €20.00 per day for up to 3 days worked which is a maximum of €60.00 weekly taken away from the average weekly income. 60% of the balance is then assessed as means. The weekly payment is reduced by any such means assessed.
If there has been a change in the circumstances of the person concerned, they should submit the updated information to the Department for a review of their claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
