Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 20 May 2020
1241. Deputy Pearse Doherty asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Donegal was refused the working family payment; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [6146/20]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is an income tested, in-work payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings with children. In order to qualify for WFP, an applicant or the applicant and a spouse, partner or cohabitant must be engaged in fulltime remunerative employment as an employee for not less than 38 hours per fortnight. This primary employment condition must be satisfied on an ongoing basis.
I am advised that the person concerned had a WFP claim which was due for reapplication on 15 April 2020. Their re-application was disallowed on 06 April 2020 on the grounds that they did not satisfy the above employment (hours worked) condition. This decision was based on information provided by the persons employer on the reapplication form, pay-slips provided by the person concerned and the Department's real-time (current) employment records.
Following a request from the person concerned, a review of the above decision was completed on 08 May 2020. This review was based on the updated information provided by the person concerned. I am advised that the Department's position did not change and the decision of 06 April 2020 was upheld following this review.
The person concerned was informed on 08 May 2020 of the review outcome and of their right of appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Officer.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
