John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

895. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an application for the household benefit package now under appeal in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [1341/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

An application for the Household Benefits Package was received from the person concerned on 29 September 2022. On 2 November 2022, the person was notified, in writing, that they did not qualify for the Household Benefits Package, as their spouse is not in receipt of a qualifying payment.

A reply to a previous enquiry from the Deputy was issued on 1 December 2022 to this effect and enclosed an application form for the customer to claim an increase for their qualified adult. There is no record of an application received to date.

It is open to the person concerned to apply for an increase for qualified adult on their pension in respect of their spouse. If awarded, their entitlement to the Household Benefits Package can then be re-examined.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.