Written answers

Tuesday, 9 October 2018

Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

Carer's Allowance Delays

Photo of James BrowneJames Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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498. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she is satisfied that a person (details supplied) in County Wexford whose appeal for a carer’s allowance was allowed in August 2018 must wait three to four months until their payment is issued; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41035/18]

Photo of Regina DohertyRegina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Carer's allowance (CA) is a means-tested social assistance payment made to a person who is habitually resident in the State and who is providing full-time care and attention to a child or an adult who has such a disability that as a result they require that level of care.

It is a condition for receipt of a CA that the person being cared for must have such a disability that as a result they require full-time care and attention.

This is defined as requiring from another person, continual supervision and frequent assistance throughout the day in connection with normal bodily functions or continual supervision in order to avoid danger to him or herself and likely to require that level of care for at least twelve months.

The evidence submitted in support of this application was examined and the deciding officer decided that this evidence did not indicate that the requirement for full-time care was satisfied.

The person concerned was notified on 15 February 2018 of this decision, the reason for it and of his right of review and appeal.

My department were notified on 16 March 2018 that the person concerned had appealed this decision to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). A submission in support of the decision was forwarded to the SWAO on 21 March 2018.

As a result of an appeals officer’s decision CA was awarded to the person concerned on 4 October 2018 with effect from 26 November 2017. The first payment will issue to her nominated bank account on 11 October 2018.

Arrears for the period 26 November 2017 to 10 October 2018 will also issue to the person concerned on 11 October 2018.

The person concerned was notified of the outcome on 4 October 2018.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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