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

491. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a recent application for a disability allowance can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29635/24]

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 can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the above-named person on 14 March 2024. As their initial application did not contain all the information required to make a decision on entitlement, an information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 28 March 2024 to supply this supporting documentation within 21 days.

I can confirm the requested information of 28 March 2024 was not received by the Department. Therefore, based on the evidence supplied in support of this person’s application, his application for DA was disallowed on failing to supply sufficient information to determine his means. The application was also refused on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition for DA was not satisfied.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 16 May 2024, and they were given the right to a review or an appeal.

The person concerned can also apply to the Community Welfare Officer based in their local Intreo office for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) if they are in need of financial assistance.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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

492. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a recent application for disability allowance can be reviewed in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29636/24]

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 can confirm that my Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 14 March 2024. As their initial application did not contain all the information required to make a decision on entitlement, an information request letter was sent on 28 March 2024 requesting this supporting documentation within 21 days.

I can confirm that a response to the requested information of 28 March 2024 was not received. Therefore, based on the evidence available in support of this application, it was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied and on failing to supply sufficient information to determine means.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 16 May 2024 and they were given the right to a review or an appeal. To date no request for a review or an appeal has been received.

The basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) provides immediate assistance for those in need. SWA payments are means tested and as part of the application process, a person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need as considered necessary.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a basic SWA on 27 June 2024 and a letter subsequently issued to him requesting additional information in support of his application. This information has been partially provided but some documentation remains outstanding and was requested in a further letter to the person concerned on 03 July 2024. Upon receipt of all the necessary documentation, the person’s claim will be assessed promptly, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.