asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount paid out in supplementary welfare allowance over the last 12 months in (a) cash, and (b) food vouchers; the total number of recipients over this period; and the average amount paid to each.
Written Answers. - Supplementary Welfare Allowances.
325.
In the period from 1 September 1977 to 31 August 1978, which is the latest date for which figures are available, the total amount paid out in supplementary welfare allowances was approximately £5.6 million. A breakdown between the amounts paid in (a) cash and (b) food vouchers is not available.
The total number of recipients during the period mentioned would vary from week to week. The number of recipients on 26 August 1978, the latest date for which complete returns are available, was 14,315 and the average payment in that week was approximately £6.60.
326.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the number of people presently in receipt of supplementary social welfare allowance.
On 26 August 1978, which is the latest date for which complete figures are available, there were 14,315 persons in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance.
327.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the total amount paid out by the Eastern Health Board in the last three months in supplementary welfare allowance in (a) cash, and (b) food vouchers; and the total number of recipients over this period.
The amount of supplementary welfare allowance paid in cash by the Eastern Health Board in the three months August to October was approximately £380,000. The value of food vouchers issued during the period was approximately £16,000. The average weekly number of recipients for the quarter was approximately 3,800.
328.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the length of time it takes for an appeal to be processed under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
The time taken to process an appeal under the supplementary welfare allowances scheme is normally one to two weeks.
329.
asked the Minister for Social Welfare the average length of time it takes to process a claim for supplementary welfare allowance.
Where a claim for supplementary welfare allowance is a straightforward one for a basic allowance or one where the situation is urgent the community welfare officer usually authorises payment on the spot. Where the application is for an additional allowance or a single payment to meet exceptional needs the approval of a senior officer may be required and this is normally forthcoming within a matter of days.