John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

626. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if supplementary welfare payments will be restored in the case of a person (details supplied); if the arrears will be paid; and if an application for disability allowance will be approved. [38894/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

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.

The person concerned was in receipt of a weekly SWA payment of €242 to 21 May 2025.

A review of the SWA claim commenced as the information available to the Department was that the person concerned received a pension lump sum. An information request was issued to the customer and payment was suspended on 21 May 2025 pending the outcome of the review.

Following the review, the SWA payment of €242 was reinstated effective from 26 June 2025. Arrears of €1,204 due to the person concerned from 22 May 2025 to 25 June 2025 issued on 09 July 2025.

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 06 May 2025. The processing time for individual DA claims may vary in accordance with their relative complexity in terms of the three main qualifying criteria, the person’s circumstances and the information they provide in support of their claim.

An information request letter was sent to the person concerned on 13 May 2025 to supply additional supporting documentation and I can confirm that the requested information was received on 23 May 2025.

The person concerned has been awarded the maximum personal rate DA, an increase for Living Alone Allowance, Fuel allowance and Telephone Support Allowance with effect from 07 May 2025. This person was notified in writing of these decisions on 09 July 2025. The first payment will be made by their chosen payment method on 30 July 2025.

Arrears of payment due from 07 May 2025 to 29 July 2025 will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

627. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a disability appeal in the name of a person (details supplied) will be expedited and approved. [38906/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Social Welfare Appeals Office is a service of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision making functions.

I am advised by the Social Welfare Appeals Office that an Appeals Officer, having fully considered all of the available evidence, has decided to allow the appeal of the person concerned by way of a summary decision. The person concerned will be notified of the Appeals Officer’s decision in the coming days.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.