Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 November 2023
176. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether illness benefit or disability allowance can or will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50471/23]
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.
I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 12 October 2023. The processing time for individual disability allowance claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.
An information request was sent to the person concerned on 23 October 2023, allowing 21 days to provide the information. On receipt of the supporting documentation and on completion of the necessary investigations on all aspects of the claim, a decision will be made and the person concerned will be notified directly of the outcome.
Illness Benefit (IB)?is the primary short term income support provided by my Department to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for IB depends on the person’s PRSI record and class.? People must have made the required number of contributions in Class A, E, H or P to qualify.
A completed IB application form should be submitted to the Department in order to establish if the person concerned has an alternative entitlement. An application form for Illness Benefit has been sent to the person concerned on 13 November 2023.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
