Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 July 2023
462. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of an application for basic supplementary welfare allowance in the case of a person (details supplied) who has supplied all information as requested; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34223/23]
View answerThere is a range of supports provided by the Community Welfare Service under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme. These supports can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs).
The basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or do not qualify for payment under other State schemes. ANPs can be made to help meet expenses that an eligible 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 a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was awarded a basic SWA on 13/08/2020 whilst an application for a primary scheme payment was pending. Since then, several applications for Illness Benefit and Disability Allowance which are primary scheme payments have been made by the person, these were subsequently disallowed.
In certain cases, a basic SWA may continue to be paid whilst a person awaits the outcome of an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office (SWAO). During a review of the person’s basic SWA claim, it was established that there was no pending claim for a primary scheme nor an appeal for same pending. For a basic SWA to continue the customer must satisfy the Designated Person that they are unfit for work. A letter issued to the person on 16/06/2023 in which they were asked to complete a medical review application form and to provide details of any pending appeal they may have made to the SWAO or of any pending primary scheme application. The person was advised that their payment could cease if they did not reply within the afforded timeline of 14 days. As this information was not provided, the person’s basic SWA claim was suspended on 05/07/2023. It remains open to the person to provide the information sought within the next 7 days and a review of the claim will be re-opened.
In the meantime if the person is experiencing financial difficulty they can apply for an ANP by completing a SWA1 application form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if the person has a verified account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie. The completed application form together with any supporting documentation should be returned to my Department where the claim will be processed promptly.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
