Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
649. Deputy Claire Kerrane asked the Minister for Social Protection the person who is in receipt of social welfare payments following the death of a person; the payments that continue following the death of a person; the person the payments are paid to in cases in which there are caring duties; the length of time that they are paid for respective of the relationship; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34081/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe key role of the Department of Social Protection is to provide income support where an income need arises because of a particular contingency – be that illness, disability, caring or unemployment.
The Department recognises the need for a transition period during which people can grieve and plan for a life following the death of a family member.
Within the social welfare system, there are a number of supports for people who suffer a bereavement. In particular, there is an arrangement known as the six-weeks payment after death which allows for certain payments to continue to be made after a person dies.
The provisions for a continued payment after death, for customers with a spouse/civil partner/co-habitant, are set out in Section 248(2)(a) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. To qualify for a continued payment, the spouse/partner must be either be a qualified adult on the deceased person’s payment or a customer in receipt of a payment in his/her own right.
Where a person in receipt of a social welfare payment dies and there is an Increase for a Qualified Adult in payment, this payment continues for six weeks. Where there is no Increase for a Qualified Adult, entitlement to payment ceases upon the death of the customer.
It should also be noted that legislation provides that following the death of a qualified adult in respect of whom an increase of benefit is being paid for, payment of the increase also continues for 6 weeks after the date of death.
Most social welfare primary payments include an additional allowance for a qualified child, known as an Increase for a Qualified Child payment, in respect of children aged up to 18, and aged 18 to 22 in certain circumstances. The provisions for a continued payment after death, for customers with a qualified child are set out in Section 248(2)(b) of the Social Welfare (Consolidation) Act 2005. If a person is in receipt of a primary social welfare payment which includes an increase for a qualified child and that child dies, the Increase for a Qualified Child payment will continue for six weeks after the death of that child. In cases where an individual has been in receipt of One-Parent Family Payment and an increase for a qualified child, both payments will continue for six weeks after the death of that child.
Regarding in-work supports, the Working Family Payment and the Back to Work Family Dividend also remain in payment for up to six weeks after the death of a qualifying child. Eligibility may continue beyond those six weeks if there are other children associated with the claim.
Carer's Allowance, Carer's Benefit, Domiciliary Care Allowance and the Carer's Support Grant are the main income supports provided by my Department to carers in the community.
- Payment of Carer's Allowance continues to be made for a further twelve weeks after the death of the person being cared for, including where this was a child.
- Carer's Benefit continues for six weeks after the death of the person being cared for, including where this was a child.
- Domiciliary Care Allowance continues to be paid for three months after the death of the child being cared for.
- In circumstances where a person is in receipt of another social welfare payment together with a half-rate Carer’s Allowance, then the half-rate Carer’s Allowance will also continue for 12 weeks, including where this was a child.
- The Carer's Support Grant, which is paid on the first Thursday in June will automatically be paid where Carer's Allowance is paid on that date. This will also include instances where the person being cared for has passed away before that date, including where this was a child.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
