Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 April 2024
101. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for partial capacity benefit by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18175/24]
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 21 March 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 18 April 2024 advising that their incapacity to work has been assessed as 'Moderate'. The person concerned will receive 50% of their underlying Invalidity Pension entitlement if they commence employment.
The applicant has been requested to specify their 'return to work date' to enable the completion of this claim. Where employment does not commence by 20 June 2024, their claim will be closed.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
