I propose to take Questions Nos. 486 and 487 together.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an over ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
Payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, taking into account the requirements of the legislation, and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Table 1 provides the number of Additional Needs Payments registered and awarded (granted) by month in 2022.
Table 2 provides the number of Additional Needs Payments registered and awarded (granted) by month in 2023 (to end of March)
During the period January 2022 to end of March 2023, 21,970 claims have been disallowed (refused).
These payments are not appealable to the Social Welfare Appeals Office. If an applicant is dissatisfied with the outcome of a decision for an exceptional and urgent needs claim they can seek a review of that decision.
Reviews of ANP decisions (excluding reoccurring supplements) are carried out by review officers within the community welfare service. Statistics are not collated on the number of reviews requested or the outcome of those reviews.
Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie .
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 – Additional Needs Payments registered and awarded (granted) by month in 2022.
|
Month
|
Registered
|
Awarded (Granted)
|
|
Jan-22
|
5,350
|
3,086
|
|
Feb-22
|
6,024
|
4,255
|
|
Mar-22
|
7,476
|
5,417
|
|
Apr-22
|
8,031
|
5,928
|
|
May-22
|
11,700
|
8,942
|
|
Jun-22
|
14,888
|
9,251
|
|
Jul-22
|
17,229
|
8,601
|
|
Aug-22
|
15,176
|
11,117
|
|
Sep-22
|
16,710
|
9,548
|
|
Oct-22
|
16,108
|
9,344
|
|
Nov-22
|
15,537
|
11,768
|
|
Dec-22
|
12,340
|
9,967
|
|
Total
|
146,569
|
97,224
|
Table 2 – Additional Needs Payments registered and awarded by month in 2023 (to end of March).
|
Month
|
Registered
|
Awarded (Granted)
|
|
Jan-23
|
12,150
|
9,061
|
|
Feb-23
|
11,217
|
7,121
|
|
Mar-23
|
11,893
|
7,569
|
|
Total
|
35,260
|
23,751
|
