Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 May 2020
952. Deputy Fergus O'Dowd asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person can be transferred to the pandemic unemployment payment in order to be in a position to pay bills, rent and so on in exceptional circumstances such as in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7543/20]
View answerTo qualify for a Pandemic Unemployment Payment a person must, inter alia, have been in employment on or after 6th March 2020 and must have lost employment as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
I am advised that the person concerned stated they finished work on 28th February 2020 and so does not satisfy the eligibility criteria for that payment. However, this person is currently in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance.
The local Community Welfare Service will contact with the person as a matter of urgency to discuss whether they can be assisted to meet their financial needs under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes including Rent Allowance.
I trust that this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
