Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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394. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when an entitlement to a farm-assist payment can be restored in the case of a person (details supplied) who received notification to the effect that their payment would be stopped unless a reply to correspondence was received within a specific time which happened to be family-holiday time; if their entitlement can be restored forthwith; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44937/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Farm Assist is a means-tested payment for low-income farmers. Amongst other qualifying conditions a person must be aged between 18 and 66 to qualify for the payment.

The person concerned was in receipt of a Farm Assist payment from 07/10/2019 until 23/08/2022. As the person concerned turned age 66 on 24/08/2022, he was advised by officials in the Maynooth Branch Office to apply for a State pension.

While awaiting a decision on the outcome of an application for a State pension, the person concerned can apply for a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance. For the convenience of the person, a SWA1 application has been issued to him by post.

When the completed application form and any supporting documentation has been returned to the Community Welfare Service, the person’s application will be assessed, and he will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter.