Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 9 September 2024
1037. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the procedure to be followed to reinstate a weekly payment in the case of a person (details supplied); if applications for disability allowance have been received; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35973/24]
Amharc ar fhreagraDisability 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 my Department received an application for DA from one the people detailed on 28 June 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 17 July 2024, requesting that they sign part 11A of the medical form and get their doctor to complete the part 11B medical report.
A new DA application was received by the Department on 16 August 2024. As the person concerned did not supply all the required information, it was necessary for the Deciding Officer to send a further information request on 20 August 2024, requesting details of all bank accounts held, 3 recent payslips and a copy of the medical report from their doctor.
On receipt of this information, a decision will be made on their DA application and the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
To date no application for DA has been received for the other person concerned. A completed application form for DA must be submitted to the Department in order to have eligibility checked and a formal decision made on entitlement. An application form has been posted to them.
In the meantime, they may apply to the Community Welfare Service for the means tested Supplementary Welfare Allowance if they are in need of financial assistance while awaiting the outcome of their application.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
