Brendan Griffin (Kerry, Fine Gael)
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88. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the advice she can provide on a matter (details supplied) regarding concurrent pensions. [40673/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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It is a standard feature of social welfare legislation that a claimant can claim only one social welfare primary payment. It is not possible to be in receipt of both Invalidity Pension and a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension.

While I have sympathy for the unfortunate circumstances of the person concerned, the position is that to change the underlying principle of entitlement and allow people to claim concurrent payments would involve significant additional expenditure which would prove unsustainable in the longer term.

There are a number of supports in the social welfare system which are of benefit to widows.

- The maximum personal rate of a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension is significantly higher for those aged 66 or over than it is for a widow or widower of working age, as it is aligned with the maximum personal rate for the State Pension (Contributory).

- A person who loses their spouse or civil partner may be entitled to the Living Alone Allowance in addition to the Widow's Pension.

- People in receipt a Widow's Pension may also be eligible for the Household Benefits Package. In addition, a widow aged between 60 and 65 years, whose late spouse/civil partner received the Household Benefits Package from this Department, may qualify for that package if they otherwise satisfy all other conditions and receive a relevant qualifying payment.

- A Widow's Pension recipient may also qualify to receive Fuel Allowance, subject to the conditions of the scheme, including a means test.

- A Widow's Pension recipient who qualifies for both the Living Alone Allowance and the Fuel Allowance will automatically qualify for the Telephone Support Allowance. This payment aims to help those living alone with the cost of communications and/or home alert security systems.

- Supplementary Welfare Assistance is available from this Department to people struggling financially – this is a means-tested payment. This is administered by this Department’s Community Welfare Service and can be accessed by customers through their local Intreo office.

Full details of these supports are available and updated regularly on the www.gov.iewebsite.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.