Disability Allowance

Hello.

I would like to ask your opinion on reduced rate Disability Allowance. I recieve a reduced rate of disability allowance but my husband who is a qualified adult gets the full qualified adult rate. In last years budget we were stopped a total of E13.80 This would be correct, but for the fact that i do not recieve the Full rate of E196.00 but was still stopped as if i was recieving the full rate. I read in the Ministers "Summary of 2010 Budget Measures Policy" changes, that persons on reduced rate of social welfare payments propotionate decreases would apply. When i questioned this with social welfare and quoted the ministers statement i was told in no uncertain terms that i was reading this wrong. I then photocopied the piece of the ministers statement and posted same to social welfare who have since ingnored my letters and on telephoning them yet again was informed that the cut was accross the board and that was the end of the story. I might add that i recieve E100 as opposed to E196.00 and am presuming the same thing will happen again this year. I am now at a loss as to know who to ask to help me out in this situation. The minister has quoted the same again this year regarding reduced welfare recipents.

Thank you

The "proportionate decreases" comment refers to persons on payments who receive less than the full rate because of earnings limits.

For example, a person who applies for Illness benefit may have the appropriate number of PRSI contributions to qualify for payment, but because their earnings are less than a set limit, they are not entitled to the full rate of Illness Benefit.

It is these rates that are reduced proportionately - i.e. the €8 reduction is not applied in full.

I presume the reason you receive a reduced rate of Disability Allowance is because there are means assessed against you (e.g. savings, 2nd property, other income).

The means assessed is subtracted from the full rate of Disability Allowance to arrive at your weekly entitlement.

As the full rate of Disability Allowance has reduced by €8 (for single person) and €13.30 (for a couple), your weekly entitlement is reduced by that amount also because your means have not changed.

If you believe that your means have changed, you can ask for a review of your claim.

Thank you for the clear information you gave me.