Dan Neville (Limerick, Fine Gael)
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225. To ask the Minister for Social Protection the position regarding a living alone allowance in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Limerick; if the living alone allowance will be backdated to the date of entitlement. [27907/14]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The person concerned applied on 17 February 2014 for an increase for living alone on his State pension contributory (SPC). The increase was awarded with effect from 23 September 2013.

Under social welfare legislation, where an application for contributory pension, or any increase payable thereon, is received on or after 6 April 2012 the maximum backdating period allowable is six months. Further backdating can be considered in circumstances where the failure to make an application arises as a result of incorrect information provided by the Department, or where the delay in applying arises as a result of the claimant’s incapacity by illness or infirmity.