Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 23 May 2024
221. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Social Protection the differences, if any, that exist between an application for benefits and entitlements for a person with autism under 18 years versus a person with autism over 18 years, with specific regard to assessment criteria. [23467/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides a suite of income supports for those who are unable to work due to an illness or disability. These include contributory payments based on PRSI contributions, such as Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension, and non-contributory payments based on a means test, such as Disability Allowance and Blind Pension.
Disability Allowance is the only Social Welfare payment which is payable to persons under 18, and there is no difference in the assessment for under 18 years and over 18 years, there is just one application form for Disability Allowance.
Disability Allowance is a payment for people who are aged between 16 and 66 with an injury, disease or disability that has continued, or may be expected to continue, for at least one year and, as a result of this disability, the person is substantially restricted in undertaking work that would otherwise be suitable. The allowance is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement.
Eligibility for the Department of Social Protections income supports is not dependent on the nature of the illness or disability. Rather, entitlement to these supports is contingent on the extent to which a particular illness or disability impairs or restricts a person’s capacity to work.
Every application for the Departments income supports is individually assessed, in line with the provisions specified in the relevant social welfare legislation. Assessment is based on the medical information provided by healthcare providers and the claimant and taking into account the opinion of the Department’s Medical Assessor.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
