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Social Welfare Benefits

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 February 2022

Thursday, 24 February 2022

Ceisteanna (325)

James Lawless

Ceist:

325. Deputy James Lawless asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will examine a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10668/22]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Child Benefit is a monthly payment to the parents or guardians of children under 16 years of age. Child Benefit can also be claimed for children aged 16 and 17, if they are in full-time education or full-time training or have a disability and cannot support themselves.

An application for Child Benefit was received from the person concerned on 28th October 2021 and has been awarded with effect from 1st November 2021, the month following receipt of the claim.

Social Welfare legislation provides that Child Benefit claims should be submitted within 12 months of eligibility commencing. In the circumstances of this application, eligibility commenced from August 2017 when the family entered the state.

Legislation further provides that Child Benefit payment may be backdated where the applicant can show that there was good cause for the failure to claim earlier. Lack of knowledge of the Child Benefit scheme or the eligibility criteria pertaining to the payment is not in itself considered good cause for the delay in making a claim.

In the case of the person concerned, they advised that they were not initially aware of the benefit and that the pandemic made it difficult to gather the required documentation. They advised that they became aware of the benefit just prior to the pandemic.

Department records show that the person concerned was aware of the Child Benefit scheme at time of application for their PPS number on 31/10/2017. The deciding officer found that the person concerned had not shown that there was good cause for the delay in making their claim, as the person concerned did not apply for Child Benefit within the prescribed time. The claim has been awarded from the 1st day of the month following that in which the claim was made in accordance with the relevant legislation.

The person concerned was notified of this decision and advised of their right of appeal.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

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