Lone Parents

ShaunaBlue22

I need a bit of help understanding this,

I applied for lone parents last week and got a letter today saying I've been awarded a one family payment as follows from 05.05.16 of a weekly rate of €215 and i will receive it this week. I have been claiming maternity benefit since January so does that effect getting backdated since the 05.05.16? My baby was born the 04.05.16.
Thanks

myappeal

Hi ShaunaBlue22,

The regulations would appear to state that a person on the OPF payment would qualify for a half-rate Maternity Benefit payment.

In this instance, where you received a full-rate maternity benefit payment this may affect your entitlement to OPF payment arrears on the basis of the means test for that payment. So you may be entitled to a reduced OPF payment for the period where you were receiving the full-rate maternity benefit.

Was your only income the Maternity Benefit or did you have any other source of income/support during that period?

Regards,

ShaunaBlue22

myappeal wrote: »

Hi ShaunaBlue22,

The regulations would appear to state that a person on the OPF payment would qualify for a half-rate Maternity Benefit payment.

In this instance, where you received a full-rate maternity benefit payment this may affect your entitlement to OPF payment arrears on the basis of the means test for that payment. So you may be entitled to a reduced OPF payment for the period where you were receiving the full-rate maternity benefit.

Was your only income the Maternity Benefit or did you have any other source of income/support during that period?

Regards,

I was only receiving maternity benefit, it started the 29.01.16 and will end the 30.07.16 so are you saying i won't get backdated or ill get half of what i would of been backdated if i wasn't on maternity benefit?

myappeal

Hi,

Yes, that would appear to be the case.

Because OFP payments are means tested and maternity benefit is only paid at half-rate when on an OFP payment, it would appear to suggest DSP will not make/provide for two full rate payments.

Its best to be prepared for the possible worst case scenario, there are always exceptions to some rules, but unless DSP tell you otherwise... the standard rules usually apply.

Have you sought to contact DSP directly to enquire?

Regards

ShaunaBlue22

myappeal wrote: »

Hi,

Yes, that would appear to be the case.

Because OFP payments are means tested and maternity benefit is only paid at half-rate when on an OFP payment, it would appear to suggest DSP will not make/provide for two full rate payments.

Its best to be prepared for the possible worst case scenario, there are always exceptions to some rules, but unless DSP tell you otherwise... the standard rules usually apply.

Have you sought to contact DSP directly to enquire?

Regards

Im really confused haha I've already done the means test and I've got the awarded letter, i just want to know can you get backdated even though i was recieveing maternity benefit? Because it says i will receive €215 from the 5.04.16.

myappeal

Hi,

Yes. If the OFP has already factored in the maternity benefit and adjusted the rate of OFP payment to take account of this, then some OFP may be payable (backdated) for the period in any lump sum arrears.

Regards

orchidsrpretty

I'm my case I got half of my maternity pay taken from my opfp. So for the months they overlapped 137 was deducted from €250 and I was given the difference.

myappeal

Hi orchidsrpretty,

Thanks for the information/clarification.

This supports:

'Because OFP payments are means tested and maternity benefit is only paid at half-rate when on an OFP payment, it would appear to suggest DSP will not make/provide for two full rate payments.'

So more than likely ShaunaBlue22 that the OFP arrears will be affected by the full maternity benefit payment.

Regards,