Where a person applies for assistance with rent costs under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the health board must be in a position to verify the tenancy and the amount of rent payments. Where claimants have difficulties in this regard the health boards will try to obtain verification otherwise.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, who are responsible for the administration of the supplementary Welfare allowance scheme in the Dublin area, that the person concerned was requested to provide information to enable the health board to contact the landlord on her behalf. To date this information has not been supplied. As soon as she contacts her local community welfare officer in connection with this matter, it can be examined further.