Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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837. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Clare will be entitled to a higher weekly rate of jobseeker’s allowance rather than the current rate, which has been payable since 1 October 2020; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32366/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Jobseeker’s Allowance is a means-tested payment and the rate of payment depends on the income, earnings and savings of the person concerned and their spouse / partner in the case of married / cohabiting couples.

The person concerned applied for Jobseekers Allowance on 16/9/20 and submitted details of their own and their spouses income . On 23/09/2020 a means assessment issued detailing how the means were calculated. The person was eligible for reduced rate Jobseekers Allowance from 1/10/2020 based on spouses earnings.

The letter advised that the decision could be appealed and or reviewed if requested . No appeal or request to review was received from the applicant .

However, following receipt of this PQ a review was undertaken by my Department. The outcome of this review confirmed that there was to be no change in the assessment and that the rate of payment would remain the same.

Jobseeker’s Allowance is provided for in legislation by Sections 140 to 148A of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 (as amended), and Articles 116 to 121 of SI 142 of 2007 (as amended).