Mark Wall (Kildare South, Labour)
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101. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person in receipt of the new bereaved partners contributory pension can also claim an illness benefit, or any other social welfare payment, given the new payment is a contributory one; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [52295/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The Bereaved Partners (Contributory) Pension (BCP) is a weekly payment to the widow, widower, surviving civil partner or qualified cohabitant of a deceased person. The pension remains payable unless the person cohabits with another person or marries, and the payment is not means tested. As a result, a person can be in receipt of BCP and earn income from employment or self-employment.

There is a general principle of one person, one payment, which applies across the social welfare system. Given the contingency-based nature of this system, it can happen that a person may experience more than one contingency at the same time but, generally, they can receive only one payment. This principle is common to social security systems across the world.

Where a person is unable to work as a result of illness, my Department provides the Illness Benefit payment. Illness Benefit is the primary short term income support provided to those who are unable to work due to illness of any type and who are covered by social insurance. Eligibility for Illness Benefit depends on the person’s PRSI record and class. People must have made the required number of contributions under PRSI classes A, E, H or P to qualify.

Illness Benefit and BCP are, generally, not payable concurrently. However, if a customer is getting a reduced rate of BCP, they may also get a reduced rate of Illness Benefit, so that the combined amount of both payments is not greater than the maximum rate of Illness Benefit to which they would otherwise be entitled.

Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a means-tested payment for persons struggling financially and can be accessed by customers through their local Intreo office. An Exceptional Needs Payment may also be available to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income.

My Department will continue to keep its range of supports under review to ensure that they meet their overall objectives.

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.