Disability Allowance is my Department's primary disability related social assistance scheme. The payment is subject to a medical assessment, a means test and a habitual residency requirement. The means test takes account of the income a person or couple has in terms of cash, as well as the value of capital and property, other than the family home.
Applying a means-test ensures that the recipient has an income need and that scarce resources are targeted to those with the greatest need. This approach supports an economically sustainable and socially equitable allocation of scarce resources.
Disability Allowance has one of the highest capital disregards operated by the Department of Social Protection. A recipient can have up to €50,000 in savings and still receive the full rate of payment. This compares with €20,000 for most social welfare payments. In the Disability Allowance means test, capital over €50,000 but under €60,000 is assessed at €1 per €1,000; amounts between €60,000 and €70,000 are assessed at €2 per €1,000 and amounts over €70,000 are assessed at €4 per €1,000.
The Programme for Government commits to reform the Disability Allowance Payment and remove anomalies in the current means test. There are also commitments in relation to the rate of payment and the development of an annual cost of disability support payment. These commitments will be progressed over the lifetime of the Government, having regard to the available resources.
My Department is currently reviewing means testing across all its social assistance schemes. The outcome of this review will be used to inform decisions regarding any further changes to means testing. All prospective changes to means testing arrangements will have to be considered in both an overall policy and budgetary context.
If the Deputy has a particular case in mind, please forward the details to my Department so my officials can review the specific circumstances.
