John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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522. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a means test relative to a claim for a State (non-contributory) pension for a person (details supplied) will be reassessed. [28500/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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State pension non-contributory is a means-tested payment for people aged 66 and over, habitually residing in the State, who do not qualify for a state pension contributory, or who only qualify for a reduced rate contributory pension based on their social insurance record.

For the purposes of the means-test, it is necessary at the outset for applicants to provide full details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they hold. Following the award of pension, a reporting obligation continues to apply whereby the pension recipient (and, where relevant, their qualified adult dependant, personal representative or agent) must notify the Department in a timely manner of any change in their circumstances that may impact on their pension entitlement.

The person concerned had been in receipt of state pension non-contributory since 30 March 2012. Following notification to the Department that their spouse had commenced employment, the person’s pension entitlement was reviewed in June 2020 on the basis of the couple’s changed financial circumstances. The Deciding Officer stopped the person’s state pension non-contributory entitlement with effect from 16 July 2020 for the reason that their (individualised) increased means exceeded the applicable weekly statutory limit of €262.50.

The person concerned was notified of this revised decision on 22 June 2020, together with the reason for the decision and their right, if dissatisfied with the decision, to request a review, or to appeal the decision to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office.

To date, there is no record of an appeal being received from the person concerned. This Parliamentary Question will be taken as a request for review. A Deciding Office will review the person’s entitlement to state pension non-contributory and they will be notified of the outcome in writing.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.