Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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909. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will provide an update on the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1584/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The spouse of the person concerned is in receipt of an Increase for a qualified adult payment on their State pension (Contributory) since 31/01/2013.

An increase for a qualified adult is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.

The Fuel allowance and Increase for Living alone are payable with certain qualifying social welfare payments. As the person concerned is the beneficiary of an Increase for Qualified Adult allowance on their spouses State Pension (contributory), which is not a qualifying payment, they do not have entitlement to these payments.

Under current eligibility conditions, an individual must have 520 full-rate paid contributions in order to qualify for standard State pension (contributory). According to the records of my Department the person concerned has a total of 312 full-rate contributions. I have arranged for a copy of the person’s social insurance record to issue to them. If the person considers that additional contributions or credits have not been recorded, it is open to them to forward documentary evidence to my Department.

As my Department has no record of receipt of an application for State pension (contributory) from the person concerned, I have arranged for an application form to issue to them. On receipt of the completed application form their entitlement will be examined.

An application for the means-tested State pension (non-contributory) was received from the person concerned on 24/02/2022. This application was disallowed as they failed to fully disclose their means. They were notified of this decision in writing on 28/04/2022. Following an appeal of this decision, the original decision stands.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.