Willie O'Dea
Question:654. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Social Protection when a claim by a person (details supplied) for disability allowance will be reinstated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44280/24]
View answerTuesday, 5 November 2024
Questions (654)
Written answers
Disability 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.
Legislation provides that the means test takes account of the income and assets of the person (and spouse) applying to the scheme. The weekly rate of a DA payment depends on the amount of weekly means assessed.
A review of the person concerned, was undertaken regarding their continued entitlement to DA. An information request issued to their home address on the 01 May 2024, requesting details of their spouses’ payslips. The letter advised that they had 21 days to supply the information otherwise it could result in their DA payment being suspended or stopped.
On the 23 September 2024, the person concerned was notified that they had failed to respond to the Department's correspondence dated 01 May 2024. The person concerned was given a further 14 days to respond before their payment would be suspended with effect from the 9 October 2024. As the information requested was not received, their payment was suspended on the 16 October 2024.
The Department received further information on the 17 October 2024. Based on the evidence supplied in support of this review, it was determined that there had been a reduction in the means assessed, with effect from the 16 October 2024. However, whilst there had been a reduction in means due to the household circumstances, the weekly DA rate payable to the person concerned reduced from €259.50 to €195.00, with effect from the 16 October 2024.
This reduction was implemented as their spouse was now in receipt of another welfare payment in their own right. A letter notifying the person of this decision issued on 24 October 2024. The person concerned was notified of their right to request a review of this decision or to appeal it to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.
The Fuel Allowance for the person concerned stopped with effect from the 16 October 2024 as they no longer qualify for this allowance as their household consists of another individual who is not on qualifying payment for receipt of Fuel Allowance. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing also on 24 October 2024.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.