Patricia Ryan
Question:218. Deputy Patricia Ryan asked the Minister for Social Protection to investigate the reason a person (details supplied) has had their carer’s allowance cut. [21000/24]
View answerThursday, 9 May 2024
Questions (218)
Written answers
Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.
Means are any income belonging to the carer and their spouse/civil partner/cohabitant including property (except their own home), or an asset that could bring in money or provide them with an income.
I confirm that the person concerned is in receipt of CA since 7 December 2017.
The person concerned notified this Department on 8 May 2023 regarding a change in their circumstances. Following receipt of this notification, a review of means for the person concerned commenced on 28 June 2023.
The outcome of the review determined that the means of the person concerned were assessed at €266.95 and the amount of CA payable was €47.00 from 16 November 2023. This payment increased to €65.00 on 4 January 2024 in line with Budget increases.
The person concerned was notified on 25 October 2023 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of review and/or appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).
Following a request for review, the case was reconsidered, and the decision remained unchanged.
The person concerned was notified on 1 May 2024 of this decision, the reason for it and of their right of appeal to the SWAO.
From 6 June 2024, in line with Budget measures the CA weekly income disregard will increase from €350 to €450 for a single person, and from €750 to €900 for a couple. Payment on 6 June 2024 for the person concerned will be automatically adjusted to take account of the new income disregard.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.