Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 22 February 2024
187. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Social Protection if, pending the submission of additional information requested for a disability allowance for a person (details supplied), she will allow continued payment of the allowance until eligibility has been established; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8438/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability Allowance is both a means and medically assessed payment. To confirm continued eligibility to DA, a means review of the person concerned commenced on 9th November 2023 and an information request letter issued to them. The letter requested, inter alia, up to date statements for all accounts held with financial institutions held either by the person concerned and/or their spouse/partner; details of earnings of both parties; and details of any shares held by either party.
The person concerned provided some of the requested information on 4th December 2023.
As no further information was supplied by the customer, the Department wrote to the person concerned on 12th February 2024 requesting the outstanding documentation and advising that some of information supplied previously was not sufficient to complete the review i.e., some financial statements provided were over 2 years old, statements were not provided for previously declared accounts and statements did not show account holder name or account number on the documentation provided.
This letter advised that payments would be suspended from 21st February if the requested documentation was not provided by that time. It is standard practice to suspend payments where a customer fails to provide all of the requested documentation.
Upon receipt of all information, the Deciding Officer will determine eligibility. Payments will be unsuspended and arrears issued if appropriate.
For convenience, all requested information can be e-mailed to longfordcontrolreview@welfare.ie.
The person concerned can apply to the Community Welfare Officer based in their local Intreo office for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) if they are in need of financial assistance.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
