Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 June 2023
792. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will clarify if there is a limit on the amount of savings a person can have if they are to be successful in obtaining an additional needs payment; if she will clarify what this limit is; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27254/23]
View answerUnder 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 overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with 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.
The payment amount, which can have a wide range value, will depend on an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed.
There is no prescribed limit on the amount of savings a person can have when making an application for an Additional Needs Payment, however, if a person has financial resources such as savings to meet the need, it would be expected that they provide for the need from that source.
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.
