Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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363. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the extent to which a person (details supplied) qualifies for household benefits and the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52038/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 18 August 2023. Based on the information provided to my Department, the person concerned was awarded the maximum personal rate of Disability Allowance and full rate increase of qualified child allowance in respect of one dependent child with effect from 23 August 2023. The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 20 September 2023.

Fuel Allowance is an administrative (non-statutory) scheme and is payable to people who satisfy the conditions of the scheme and who either live alone or only with certain qualified people.

As part of the initial application for DA, the Deciding Officer assessed the person's entitlement to Fuel Allowance. Based on the information supplied, it was decided that the person concerned did not have an entitlement to the fuel allowance as their household consisted of persons who were not in a qualifying category for Fuel Allowance. The person concerned was notified of this decision in writing on 20 September 2023. They were also informed that if their circumstances changed, they should make a new application for the fuel allowance.

To date, no application for fuel allowance has been received from the person concerned. An application form for fuel allowance issued to the person on 22 November 2023. Alternatively, a person can apply online through their MyGovID account.

The Household Benefits Package helps towards the costs of your electricity or gas bills. It also includes your television licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household and you must reside full time in Ireland. Those in receipt of DA are eligible to make an application for the package.

To date, no application for Household Benefits Package has been received from the person concerned. An application form for the Household Benefits Package issued to the person on 22 November 2023. Alternatively, a person can apply online through their MyGovID account.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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364. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for a disability allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [52039/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Disability Allowance (DA) is a weekly allowance paid to people with a specified disability who are aged 16 or over and under the age of 66. This disability must be expected to last for at least one year and the allowance is subject to a medical assessment, means test and Habitual Residency conditions.

I confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 18 August 2023. Based on the information provided to my Department, the person concerned was awarded the maximum personal rate of Disability Allowance and full rate increase of qualified child allowance in respect of one dependent child with effect from 23 August 2023.

The person concerned was notified of the decision in writing on 20 September 2023 and received their first payment via their chosen payment method on 27 September 2023.

Arrears due from 23 August to 26 September 2023 issued to the person concerned via their chosen payment method on 22 September 2023.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.