Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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141. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for the delay in a disability allowance payment to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39199/24]

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.

The Department periodically carries out reviews to ensure continuing eligibility and to confirm no disqualifications from receiving DA apply. As part of the review, correspondence issued to the person concerned on 28 July 2023 requesting the completion of an MR99 medical form. A customer remains in payment during such a review.

However separately in this case, the DA payment was suspended on 18 August 2023 due to an expired EIT payment which the person concerned had failed to collect from her Post Office. Notification of the missed payments and subsequent payment suspension issued to the registered address of the person concerned on 18 August 2023.

A reminder correspondence in relation to the review also issued on 18 August 2023. The person concerned was issued with an additional reminder dated 17 October 2023, affording her an additional 21 days to return the completed MR99 form.

On the basis of information received on 03 July 2024 confirming the change of address for the person concerned, the MR99 form was reissued to their new address on 24 July 2024. I can confirm the requested information was received on 13 August 2024.

Following a medical review of the customer in question, she has been found eligible for the continued receipt if DA. Her payment was reinstated effective of 25 September 2024 and all arrears due were paid to her.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.