Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 March 2024
715. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when an application for partial capacity benefit will be processed in respect of a person in County Kerry (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11520/24]
View answerPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person to return to work or self-employment and continue to receive a payment from my department. A person must be in receipt of Illness Benefit (IB) for a minimum of six months or Invalidity Pension (IP) in order to apply for PCB.
The application process for the PCB is twofold. Initially, an applicant must inform my Department of their intention to undertake employment and submit an application for PCB. Following this, the Department assesses the eligibility of the applicant and the appropriate level of PCB support. Subsequent to this assessment, the applicant is required to either confirm their decision to accept the determined PCB level and confirm their employment commencement date. The PCB team will then put the relevant payment in place.
Regarding the case in question, this individual applied for PCB on 8 February 2024 and their claim was referred to the Medical Assessment and Review Section to determine their incapacity to work. Correspondence issued to the person concerned on the 8 March 2024 advising that their incapacity to work has been assessed as 'Moderate'. The person concerned will receive 50% of their underlying entitlement Invalidity Pension if they commence employment.
The applicant has been prompted to specify a 'return to work date' to enable the completion of their claim processing. Where employment does not commence by 9 May, 2024, their claim will be closed.
I trust this clarifies for the Deputy.
