Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005 section 241

Claims

Section 241 sets out the conditions for claiming social welfare benefits, including identity verification requirements, time limits for late claims, and the consequences of failing to claim within the prescribed period.

• A person must claim the benefit in the prescribed manner and satisfy the Minister as to their identity, which may involve attending an office, producing documents, having a photograph taken, and providing an electronic signature.
• Late claims result in disqualification for specified back-payment periods depending on the benefit type — ranging from no backdating at all (e.g. jobseeker's benefit) to 6 months (e.g. State pension contributory) or 12 months (medical care).
• Where a claimant can show they were entitled to a benefit before they actually claimed it and had good cause for the delay, a deciding officer or appeals officer may allow backdating of up to 6 months.
• Any claim or notice sent by post or other means is treated as made on the date it is received by an officer of the Minister.