Social Welfare Eligibility

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 May 2023

Wednesday, 3 May 2023

Questions (254)

Paul Murphy

Question:

254. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a person can apply for carer’s allowance while they are receiving jobseeker’s allowance; what happens to their jobseeker's payment while a decision is being made on the carer's allowance application; if it will be suspended as it will be deemed that they are not available for full-time work; and if their jobseeker’s payment is suspended, could they receive supplementary welfare allowance while waiting on carer’s allowance. [20622/23]

Written answers

Minister for Social Protection

A person in receipt of Jobseeker’s Allowance can make an application for Carer’s Allowance. However, they will then not satisfy the available for full-time work condition for a jobseeker payment as they are declaring on their Carer’s Allowance application that they are caring for another person in a full-time capacity.

Once the application for Carer’s Allowance is made, a revised decision is carried out on their Jobseeker’s Allowance claim and the person is advised to apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance payment from their local Community Welfare Officer while awaiting a decision on their Carer’s Allowance claim.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.