Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the living alone allowance is payable in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18683/24]

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

The living alone increase is a payment for people aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments, including state pension (contributory), state pension (non-contributory), widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (non-contributory) pension, widow's/widower's pension under the occupational injuries benefit scheme, incapacity supplement under the occupational injuries benefit scheme, deserted wife's benefit, and who are living alone.

It is also paid to people aged under 66 who live alone and are in receipt of disability allowance, invalidity pension, incapacity supplement or blind pension.

The living alone increase is not means tested and the payment is made as an increase to the recipient’s primary social welfare payment.

As the person concerned is not in receipt of a primary social welfare payment, they are not eligible for the living alone increase.

I have arranged for a state pension (non-contributory) application to issue to the person concerned. On receipt of the completed application, their entitlement to the primary payment will be examined. If they qualify for this payment, their entitlement to the living alone increase will then be examined.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

226. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an exceptional needs payment will be made in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18686/24]

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

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. ANPs are awarded at the discretion of the Designated Persons administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP to assist with the cost of crime scene cleaning at their home and the replacement of some damaged household items. The person’s application was processed, and they were awarded a payment of €500. A letter confirming this award and affording the person concerned the option of seeking a review and/or appeal of the decision issued to them on 15/03/2024. Payment was available for collection at Kilcock Post Office on 21/03/2023.

Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act. To date, my Department has not received any request for review or appeal of the decision of the Designated Person.

If the person concerned requires is experiencing financial difficulties with other expenses, it is open to them to make a new application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if the person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

227. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a case will be urgently reviewed (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18687/24]

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

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 10 August 2022 and they were awarded the maximum personal rate of DA and an increase in payment for a qualified child with effect from 10 August 2022.

Based on information received, a review of the DA claim of the person concerned was undertaken. As part of the review, on 5 March 2024, the person concerned was requested to complete a household composition form and provide additional information to establish their means.

I can confirm that some of the requested information was received through the Deputy on 13 March 2024. However, a further information request was issued on 21 March 2024 for the outstanding details.

Following a review of this case and the information received, the person concerned has been assessed with weekly means of €50.00 derived from maintenance received, entitling them to a reduced personal rate of €189.50 per week with effect from 15 May 2024, with the first payment of their new rate commencing on that date.

The person concerned was notified of the decision via correspondence dated 23 April 2024.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.