Means testing expenses

GM228

Just wondering if expenses repaid through wages are means teated for Invalidity pension etc?

My thoughts on this is that they are simply a re-payment of expenses already incurred and so if the DSFA means test them then they are double means testing you on a proportion of your wages?

mp22

Invalidity pension is not a means tested payment.

coylemj

Reimbursement of expenses is not regard as income by anyone, an employer doesn't have to deduct PAYE from petrol and/or per diem expenses so you needn't worry about upsetting anyone in social welfare.

GM228

coylemj wrote: »

Reimbursement of expenses is not regard as income by anyone, an employer doesn't have to deduct PAYE from petrol and/or per diem expenses so you needn't worry about upsetting anyone in social welfare.

The problem is the DSFA are saying it is an income that they use for means teating for the Invalidity which is means tested in certain circumstances.

eastbono

Invalidity Pension isnt a means tested payment but the adult dependant or child dependant portion is means tested as is the case with all benefit payments.

GM228

eastbono wrote: »

Invalidity Pension isnt a means tested payment but the adult dependant or child dependant portion is means tested as is the case with all benefit payments.

Sorry perhaps that is what they are referring to but is there anywhere on the DSFA site or other relating to means testing travel expenses as I can't find any reference to it anywhere and DSFA say expenses form part of the means test!

eastbono

You may get an increase in your payment for an adult dependant and any child dependants you may have. From 5 July 2012, you can no longer claim an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) with your Invalidity Pension if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has an income of over €400 a week. You get a half-rate IQC if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant earns between €310 and €400 a week. This only applies to new claims after 5 July 2012.

If the claimant feels that they are misinterpreting the spouses/partners payslip then they should appeal the departments decision.

GM228

eastbono wrote: »

You may get an increase in your payment for an adult dependant and any child dependants you may have. From 5 July 2012, you can no longer claim an Increase for a Qualified Child (IQC) with your Invalidity Pension if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant has an income of over €400 a week. You get a half-rate IQC if your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant earns between €310 and €400 a week. This only applies to new claims after 5 July 2012.

If the claimant feels that they are misinterpreting the spouses/partners payslip then they should appeal the departments decision.

Thanks for that, but again is there anything specific in relation to expenses as it's not a case of them misinterpreting the payslip, but rather they acknowledge the expenses ans still say they class them as income and is part of the means test!

eastbono

They should be able to quote the S.I. (Statutory Instrument) or Social Welfare Act stating that expenses are classed as income.
It is more than likely considered BIK.

mp22

Item 7 may shed some light
http://www.welfare.ie/en/pages/increase-for-a-qualified-adult.aspx