Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 June 2017
2108. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will review the procedure whereby only one week's notice is given to persons on partial capacity benefit that the payment is expiring as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [28914/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraPartial Capacity Benefit (PCB) is a social welfare scheme which allows a person in receipt of either illness benefit, for at least six months, or invalidity pension, who may not have full capacity for work, to return to employment and continue to receive a payment from my Department. Payment can continue while a person has an underlying entitlement to one of these qualifying payments.
The person concerned was in receipt of PCB from 23 November 2016 until 13 June 2017, having been previously in receipt of illness benefit from 12 June 2015 until 22 November 2016. Illness benefit is payable for a maximum of two years after which a further 13 reckonable PRSI contributions must be paid to re-qualify for payment. As the underlying entitlement to illness benefit ceased on 13 June 2017, payment of PCB also stopped from this date.
Recipients of either illness benefit or PCB are generally advised about twelve weeks before their benefit ceases and are advised at that time of other benefits for which they can apply. In this instance, the person concerned was not advised of the position until 9th June 2017 due to an administrative error. My Department sincerely regrets this error.
Given the fact that the person concerned has not currently requalified for illness benefit at this time, a claim form for Invalidity Pension, (for which they may qualify) has been issued to the person concerned. Furthermore, application forms for Medical Care and Disablement Benefit have been sent, for which they may also qualify by reason of a previous Occupational Injuries Benefit claim.
Meanwhile, should the person concerned find that their means are insufficient to meet their needs, they may qualify for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Application for this scheme may be made to the Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo centre.
On the return of the completed application form(s) every effort will be made to have the matter expedited.
