Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 April 2023
125. Deputy Frankie Feighan asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person in receipt of a disability allowance who inherits a house (worth less that €300,000) from his/her parent would have their weekly payment effected or reduced upon receiving such an inheritance. [19682/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is a means-tested social assistance scheme, which is also subject to a medical assessment and habitual residency requirement.
Where a person makes an application for Disability Allowance, the means assessment includes income from employment or self-employment, income from a social security pension from another country and maintenance payments. If a claimant is married, in a civil partnership or cohabiting, the means of the couple will be assessed.
In the assessment of capital means, savings, investments, shares and property are included. The first €50,000 of capital and savings is fully disregarded, the next €10,000 is assessed at €1 per thousand, the following €10,000 is assessed at €2 per thousand, with the remainder assessed at €4 per thousand. These disregards are the highest among social welfare schemes.
Where a person inherits a house and they are resident there, it is not included in the assessment of means, unless the person receives an income from it.
Means is assessed on a household basis and as such must be reassessed if a person’s living circumstances change.
I hope this information is of assistance to the Deputy.
