Thomas Gould
Question:40. Deputy Thomas Gould asked the Minister for Social Protection whether ME is eligible for disability allowance. [18407/24]
View answerThursday, 25 April 2024
Questions (40)
Written answers
Disability Allowance 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, a means test and Habitual Residency conditions.Medical eligibility for Disability Allowance (DA) is assessed on a case by case basis and is determined by its severity, and resultant effects on activities of daily living and work-related activities.Eligibility is not based solely on diagnosis or treatment but rather is assessing the person’s eligibility for the relevant scheme in accordance with the relevant statutory conditions. An individual can only be deemed eligible for a entitlement to a welfare payment on foot of an application and an assessment that they satisfy that scheme’s conditionality.A person applying for a Disability Allowance payment must submit a completed DA1 application form which contains a self-diagnostic report completed by the applicant on their medical condition and how it affects their everyday life. There is also a separate medical report to be completed by the applicant's own doctor.Under social welfare legislation, the opinion of a Medical Assessor (MA) may be sought in respect of whether or not a person satisfies the medical condition for DA. The role of the MA is to assess both the self-diagnostic report and the doctor's medical report and provide an opinion to the Deciding Officer (DO) on whether or not they consider that the applicant meets the medical condition for the scheme.All decisions on applications received are notified to the applicant and if they are not satisfied with any aspect of the decision, they may request a review by another DO or submit an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, he might provide the relevant details so that my officials can examine the specific case.I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.