Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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385. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether it is reasonable that a person (detail supplied) seeking to obtain their pension backpay to the date of initial application is now being asked in correspondence of 24 November 2020 about personal expenditure in years 17, 18 and 19; and if appropriate, the reason such questions would not have been raised in earlier correspondence of 30 September 2020. [41377/20]

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, at the outset and at any review intervals during the lifetime of the claim, a claimant must provide, on request, full and up to date details of any income(s), assets, savings and investments they may hold.

The pension entitlement of the person concerned is being reviewed by a Deciding Officer to establish their possible entitlement to backdating for the period sought.  On 30 September 2020, a request for information issued to the person concerned in order that their weekly means could be correctly assessed for the relevant period. The Deciding Officer sought additional information, required to complete their determination., on 24 November 2020.

On receipt, the information received will be examined by the Deciding Officer who will respond to the person concerned without delay. 

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.