Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 4 October 2022
499. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science if supplementary welfare when paid in lieu of disability allowance while awaiting disability allowance should be disregarded for income when assessing an applicant's income. [47953/22]
View answerThe Student Grant Scheme is a critical financial support for students participating in further and higher education. As in any statutory scheme, a core principle of the scheme is that there is consistency of approach and an equitable treatment for applicants as part of the means assessment process. All applications are assessed nationally with reference to the terms and conditions of the relevant student grant scheme. The terms and conditions of funding are applied impartially to all applicants.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance is not included in the list of income disregards for the purposes of the Student Grant Scheme as it is, generally speaking, a short term temporary payment made whilst awaiting a decision on an established/long term social welfare payment. As soon as a person goes on to an eligible payment e.g. disability allowance, this would be considered a change in circumstances (under the Student Grant Scheme -see details below).
Where the Supplementary Welfare Allowance is held for 15 consecutive calendar months, it is deemed an eligible long-term payment for the special rate of maintenance under the Student Grant Scheme. The Disability Allowance is also an eligible long term payment for the special rate of Student Grant and is an income disregard if it is being paid to the applicant.
I am not familiar with the particulars of this case however, students can determine their eligibility at susi.ie/eligibility/income/. The student may also wish to discuss his eligibility for SUSI assistance by calling the SUSI Support Desk on 0818 888 777.
As outlined above, a very important feature of the scheme that I would point to is the change of circumstances provision. If a student or party to their application experiences a change in circumstances that is not a temporary change and is likely to continue for the foreseeable future, they can apply to SUSI to have their application assessed under the change in circumstances provision of the relevant Student Grant Scheme. The income of all parties to the application will be assessed or reassessed on current income and applicants may also be asked to provide evidence of same.
The change of circumstances provision is a well-established procedure and it can also operate at scale. For example, over 10,000 applicants declared a change of circumstance in the 2020/21 academic year. I am confident that the application of this provision will continue to allow the scheme to be flexible and responsive to people's circumstances.
Apart from the Student Grant Scheme, students in third-level institutions experiencing exceptional financial need can apply for support under the Student Assistance Fund. This Fund assists students, in a sensitive and compassionate manner, who might otherwise be unable to continue their third level studies due to their financial circumstances. Details of this fund are available from the Access Office in the third level institution attended. This fund is administered on a confidential, discretionary basis.
