Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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494. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) is eligible for a widow's pension; the eligibility criteria in respect of which she would receive the highest level of payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51616/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An application for widow’s contributory pension was received from the person concerned on the 15th of November 2017. The Deciding Officer has decided that the person concerned has an entitlement to widow’s (contributory) pension of €198.30 per week, the maximum rate payable to a person under age 66. It is noted that the person concerned is currently in receipt of an invalidity pension at the weekly rate of €198.30, together with an increase for living alone of €9.00 per week. Widow’s contributory pension and invalidity pension are not payable concurrently. As an increase for living alone is only payable with widow’s contributory pension once a claimant reaches 66 years of age, the person concerned is financially better off to remain on invalidity pension. The person concerned has been notified in writing of the deciding officer’s decision and does need to take any further action.

However, if the person concerned wishes to transfer to widow’s (contributory) pension payment without an increase for living alone, they should write to the deciding officer to confirm their request. In that instance, if the person continues to live alone when they reach 66 years of age, it is open to them to apply for an increase for living alone on their widow’s contributory pension.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.