Niamh Smyth
Question:977. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection for an update on a disability allowance review for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1689/24]
View answerWednesday, 17 January 2024
Questions (977)
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 was received from the person concerned on 16 June 2023 advising of a change in their circumstances and a review of their DA claim was undertaken. A request issued to the person concerned on 28 August 2023, seeking the completion of a form in relation to information regarding 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 (DO) to determine the current means of the person concerned. As is common practice in this scenario, the application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) for a report on the means and circumstances. The SWI submitted their report on 5 December 2023.
I can confirm that following a review, the person concerned was awarded the increase for a qualified adult. In adding their spouse to the claim, the assessment of their means resulted in an overall increase in the means on this payment. Therefore, a reduced rate of DA has been awarded, with effect from 24 January 2024.
The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 10 January 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.