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 can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 13 September 2023, while they were in receipt of an Illness Benefit payment. On 6 October 2023 and 20 November 2023, the person was requested to supply supporting documentation required by a deciding officer in order to make a decision on their DA eligibility.

As the requested information was not returned in full and eligibility to DA could not be determined, their application was referred to a Social Welfare Inspector (SWI) on 29 January 2024 for a report on the person’s means and circumstances.

Following the return of the SWI report on 20 February 2024, the person concerned has been awarded DA with effect from 13 September 2023. The first payment will be made by their chosen payment method on 24 April 2024. The person was notified of the decision in writing on 3 April 2024 and of their right to request a review and/or appeal.

Arrears of payment, if due, will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments from other Social Welfare schemes.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.