Payments to international protection applicants to be means tested

Payments to international protection applicants will be means tested from next month under revised Government guidance.

Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has confirmed that international protection applicants will have their payments cut if they are employed and earning more than 125 euros a week.

The Daily Expenses Allowance is currently set at a rate of 38.80 euros a week for an adult and 29.90 euros a week for a child.

Those who have applied for international protection, live in or are on a waiting list to move into accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) are eligible for the payment.

Updated information provided by the Government states that the allowance will be means tested, however it is not known what the new rates will be.

“An income assessment is being introduced for the Daily Expenses Allowance with effect from June 2024, for persons 18 years or over,” it states on Gov.ie.

“For claims involving couples or families, the Daily Expenses Allowance payment of the person who has income may be reduced or withdrawn.

“This will not impact on any payment in respect of other family members.

“Income includes pay from employment, self-employment and social welfare payments.

“The Daily Expenses Allowance payment will cease where a person has income of more than 125 euros per week for a combined total of 12 weeks or more.”

Speaking on Thursday, Ms Humphreys said that as part of the social welfare system, it is “normal” to assess everybody’s income.

She added: “However, we did get a report from the Comptroller and Auditor General who said that it should be means tested and for that reason we are doing that now.

“My officials brought a proposal to me, I signed off on it in April and it will come into effect in June.”