Paul McAuliffe
Question:202. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review will be carried out of the social welfare entitlements of a person (details supplied). [22238/24]
View answerThursday, 16 May 2024
Questions (202)
Written answers
The person concerned is currently in receipt of the increase for a qualified adult (IQA) on another person's State Pension Contributory (SPC).
The IQA is a means-tested payment, payable to a claimant whose spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is being wholly or mainly maintained by them, and where that qualified adult’s personal means from any source does not exceed a means test income limit.
Where a qualified adult has weekly means of less than €100, the maximum rate of IQA is payable. Where their weekly means are over €100 and not more than €310, a tapering reduced rate of IQA is payable. If the qualified adult has means of more than €310 per week, this exceeds the means limit and there is no entitlement to an IQA payment. The means assessment also includes income from the capital value of savings.
As part of my Department’s commitment to ensuring that claimants are receiving their full and correct entitlements, ongoing reviews of all means tested payments are carried out. In the case of an IQA on SPC, the primary claimant is contacted by my Department to notify them that their continuing entitlement to the means tested IQA payment is being examined.
A questionnaire issued to the primary claimant in September 2023. Following receipt of the completed questionnaire it was determined that the weekly means of the qualified adult were €146.00. This resulted in a reduction in the rate of IQA payable. The person concerned is currently in receipt IQA at the weekly rate of €201.60 .
It is also open to the person concerned to apply for the state pension (non-contributory). This is a means-tested payment with a maximum payment of €266.00 per week, which is over 95% of the maximum rate payable on SPC. I have arranged for an application form to issue.
In order to qualify for the living alone Increase, the person concerned must meet the qualifying criteria and be in receipt of a primary payment. As the person concerned is not in receipt of a primary payment, they are not entitled to the living alone increase.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.