Robert Troy
Question:496. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection if a supplementary welfare allowance appeal can be awarded for a person (details supplied). [24985/23]
View answerTuesday, 23 May 2023
Questions (496)
Written answers
The purpose of an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP) is to assist people with essential expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their available resources. The ENP is demand led and 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. Applications for ENPs are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service.According to the records of my Department, the person’s application for an ENP was disallowed on the basis that they had already met the need from their own resources. Following a request from the person concerned, a review of the decision was undertaken, and the claim has now been re-opened. A Community Welfare Officer visited the person at their home on 19/05/2023 where they advised they had received a loan from a family member to assist with a rent deposit. The person has been asked to provide confirmation of this arrangement. The person has also been asked to provide a quote for the purchase of home heating oil. When this documentation is received, the person's claim will be assessed, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing.
I trust this clarifies the matter.