Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
908. Deputy James Browne asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to assist bereaved families of persons who passed away from Covid-19; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7134/20]
View answerThere are a range of supports available from my Department for people following a bereavement.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, the Department may make an exceptional needs payment (ENP) to help meet essential, once-off expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. An application can be made under the ENP scheme for assistance with funeral and burial expenses where there is an inability to pay these costs, in part or in full, by the family of the deceased person without causing hardship.
Other supports available include the widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner’s (contributory and non-contributory) pension which is a weekly payment, based on contributions or a means test. The widowed or surviving civil partner grant is a once-off payment of €6,000 where there is a dependent child. A number of social welfare payments, including State pension, continue in payment for six weeks following a death. Guardian payments are available where someone cares for an orphaned child. A special funeral grant of €850 is paid where a person dies because of an accident at work or occupational disease.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
