Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme an exceptional needs payment (ENP) can be made by the Health Service Executive (HSE) to help meet an essential, once-off cost which the applicant is unable to meet out of his/her own resources. There is no automatic entitlement to this payment. Each application is determined by the HSE based on the particular circumstances of the case.
The HSE has advised that an application for an exceptional needs payment was made in April 2011 by the person concerned and that this was refused.
The person concerned was advised by the community welfare officer of the services of the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS). This is a free and confidential service for people with debt problems and money management problems. MABS offices are staffed by trained Money Advisers, who can:
Help individuals deal with debts and make out a budget plan;
Examine an individual's income to make sure they are not missing out on any of their entitlements;
Contact creditors on their behalf with offers of payment if they are not able to do it themselves;
Help individuals decide on the best way to make the payments.
