Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 4 July 2024
366. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a recent grant of arrears was not backdated to the date of application in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29063/24]
View answerDisability 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.
I can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 10 August 2022. The person concerned has been awarded disability allowance with effect from 10 August 2022. The first payment was made by her chosen payment method on 05 October 2022. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 13 September 2022.
Arrears of payment due from 10 August 2022 to 11 July 2023 issued to the person concerned on 05 July 2023. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 5 July 2023.
Following a review of the person concerned DA, based on the information provided to my Department, the maximum personal rate of DA has been applied to their payment with effect from 15 May 2024. In addition, the maximum rate in respect of Qualified Children has been applied to their payment with effect from 11 January 2023. A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 14 June 2024.
Arrears of payment due from 11 January 2023 to 18 June 2024 issued to the person concerned nominated Bank Account on 19 June 2024 . A letter notifying the person concerned of this decision issued on 14 June 2024.
Between 10 August 2022 and 11 October2022, the spouse of the person concerned was claiming for the whole family on his Jobseekers Benefit payment. Between 12 November 2022 and 10 January 2023, both the person concerned and her spouse were claiming a half rate Increase for Qualified Child (IQC) for each child on their respective payments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
