Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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174. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) was refused the living alone allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10386/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Living Alone Increase is a weekly payment for people aged 66 or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are living alone.  These payments include State pension (contributory), State pension (non-contributory), Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (contributory) pension, Widow's/Widower's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme and Deserted Wife's Benefit. 

According to the records of my Department, the person concerned is a qualified adult on their spouse’s State pension (contributory).  They are not in receipt of a qualifying payment paid in their own right, and therefore the person concerned is not eligible for the Living Alone Increase.

The person concerned may wish to consider applying for State pension (non-contributory).  This is a means-tested residency-based payment for persons of pension age.  The current statutory means limit for State pension (non-contributory) is €267.50 per week.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.