Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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434. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will consider increasing the employment income disregards for persons in receipt of non-contributory widow's pension; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52793/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-contributory) Pension is a means-tested payment payable to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner who does not qualify for the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension. The rate of payment is €208 per week. For the purposes of the means-test, from application stage through the lifetime of a claim, an applicant must provide full and up to date details of any income(s), asset(s), savings and investment(s) held, including any changes that occur.

As part of Budget 2023, measures were introduced for people in receipt of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension. These include:

October 2022: People in receipt of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension received a cost of living double payment paid in the week commencing 17 October.

December 2022: People in receipt of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension will receive the Christmas Bonus double payment which will be paid from the week commencing 5 December.

From January 2023: The maximum personal weekly rate of the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension will increase by €12 to €220.

On reaching age 66, the Widow/er's Non-Contributory Pension or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension will cease, and the person will be advised to apply for State Pension Non-Contributory.

Currently, earnings up to €100 per week from employment are not taken into account in the Means Test for Widow/er's Non-Contributory Pension or Surviving Civil Partner’s Non-Contributory Pension.

Any changes to the legislation to disregard income for the Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-contributory) Pension would have to be considered in an overall budgetary context.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.