Written answers

Wednesday, 17 April 2013

Department of Social Protection

Family Income Supplement Appeals

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will provide an update in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Louth, with regard to a claim for family income supplement, and a subsequent appeal lodged; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17944/13]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied to have their family income supplement (FIS) renewed with effect from 5th February 2013.

FIS is payable at 60% of the difference between the prescribed income level and the weekly family income. For a family with 2 children, as in the case concerned, the prescribed income limit is €602.00 weekly. A minimum payment of €20 per week is made to customers who qualify.

The weekly family income for the person concerned was calculated based upon the information available and FIS was awarded at the minimum weekly rate of €20.

The person concerned appealed against the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. On 14 March, in accordance with normal procedure, the Social Welfare Appeals Office asked that a letter of clarification issue from a deciding officer to the person concerned giving details of how their weekly family income was assessed.

The letter of clarification has issued to the person concerned. If following receipt of this letter the person concerned remains dissatisfied with the decision, their case will be referred to the Social Welfare Appeals Office for determination.

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the procedures in place for dealing with applicants/claimants of family income supplement, who find themselves faced with a change in circumstances, financial or otherwise, subsequent to the annual review which is carried out; if she will clarify the procedures in place for claimants who wish to appeal a decision made to reduce payments based on annual review information, which may not accurately reflect the applicant's actual and current circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17945/13]

Photo of Gerry AdamsGerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the number of family income supplement applicants who, following an annual review, are now in receipt of a reduced payment; if she will clarify if a change in an applicants financial circumstances is considered in assessing or adjusting payment levels throughout the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17946/13]

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 149 and 150 together.

The Family Income Supplement (FIS) payment is designed to provide cash income for employees with families who are on low earnings

An integral part of the FIS scheme is that once the level of payment is determined, it continues to be payable at that rate for a period of 52 weeks, provided that the person remains in full-time employment. The rate of payment may be increased if an additional child is born in the course of the 52 weeks. On the other hand, the rate of payment will not change if there is an increase or decrease in the recipient’s earnings. A key advantage of this approach, which is unique to the FIS scheme, is that claimants can be certain that they will receive a guaranteed level of income support throughout the period. This certainty is important to the success of the scheme as it provides a real incentive to workers with families to avail of employment opportunities.

However, once the 52 week period has expired, customers are invited to re-apply. If at that stage they continue to satisfy the basic qualifying conditions their up-to-date family income will be assessed for FIS purposes and a change in rate will be approved if appropriate.

For renewal claims processed in the last 6 months of 2012, 43% had a reduction in rate following renewal, 50% had an increase in rate following renewal and 7% remained at the same rate for a further 52 weeks.

Customers have the right to appeal any decision made on their FIS entitlement, if they are dissatisfied with it, to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO).

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