Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 June 2020
1137. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the steps she is taking to review the anomalies in operational guidelines on disability allowance (details supplied). [9365/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe system of social assistance supports, and the means tests associated with these schemes, are used to determine a verifiable income need and ensure that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
By its nature, the means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, property - other than the family home - and capital. It does not take account of a person’s expenditure. In line with most social assistance payments, deductions permitted for disability allowance include PRSI, union dues and superannuation (pension contributions).
The means-tested social assistance payments for which maintenance payments are assessed as means are jobseeker’s allowance; disability allowance; farm assist; state pension non-contributory; supplementary welfare allowance; blind pension; one-parent family payment; pre-retirement allowance; and widow’s, widower’s or surviving civil partner’s non-contributory pension.
For these schemes, maintenance payments (including maintenance payments from a former spouse/partner or cohabitant) are assessed by first disregarding any housing costs incurred up to €4,952 per annum (or €95.23 per week), and then assessing the remainder at 50%.
Accordingly, the total value of any maintenance payments is never assessed as means for these weekly income support payments and the total income received by the family (social welfare payment and maintenance payment combined) will be higher than someone not receiving maintenance payments.
It should be noted that people receiving disability allowance may also be eligible for secondary benefits such as free travel, fuel allowance, the household benefits package, living alone allowance and the telephone support allowance. Depending on their circumstance, recipients may also be entitled to rent supplement or housing assistance payment, to help meet housing expenses.
The Department also continues to implement a targeted case-by-case flexible payment policy approach – the National Tenancy Sustainment Framework - which allows for flexibility where landlords seek rents in excess of the rent limits. Included within this Framework is the additional assistance required by persons with disabilities who require specially modified accommodation.
Any changes to the means assessment for disability allowance would have to be considered in the overall policy and budgetary context.
