Niall Collins (Limerick County, Fianna Fail)
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509. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if persons can claim arrears of the pandemic unemployment payment; if the amount of arrears is capped; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4019/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In common with all other social welfare schemes, claims for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment should be made in a timely manner. The quickest and easiest way to apply for the payment is online at www.MyWelfare.ie. The prescribed time for making a claim for the Pandemic Unemployment Payment is in line with the provisions applying to Jobseeker's Benefit and Allowance, and claims should be made on the first day that a person is unemployed. If a person makes a late application they may lose out on payment. Social welfare legislation also provides that where a claimant proves to the satisfaction of a deciding officer or an appeals officer that there was good cause for the delay in making a claim, then the claim may be backdated. However, payment cannot be made for any period exceeding 6 months before the date on which the claim was made.

I hope that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.