1176. Deputy George Lawlor asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will intervene to ensure that a disability allowance application by a person (details supplied) is processed without the requirement for a legal separation document to be provided given no such document currently exists; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41932/26]

Disability 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, a means test and the habitual residency condition.

I can confirm that the Department received an application for DA from the person concerned on 24 December 2025. Based on the evidence supplied, the application was disallowed on the grounds that the medical qualifying condition was not satisfied, and the weekly means exceeded the statutory limit.

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 02 March 2026 and was given the right to request a review and/or appeal of this decision.

Following a review of additional medical information provided, the person concerned was deemed medically eligible for DA. Following a review of the means criteria, the person concerned weekly means exceeded the statutory maximum allowed under the DA Scheme for the period 24 December 2025 to 05 May 2026.

The person concerned was assessed with nil means effective from 06 May 2026 and therefore has been awarded DA from that date.

The first payment will be paid to their nominated Bank Account on 10 June 2026.

Arrears of payment due from 06 May 2026 to 09 June 2026 will issue as soon as possible once any necessary adjustment is calculated and applied in respect of any overlapping payments (if applicable).

The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 02 June 2026.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.