Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
777. Deputy Violet-Anne Wynne asked the Minister for Social Protection if she can clarify the current position with respect to the situation whereby homeless individuals can collect social welfare payments at their post office in lieu of address; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [48563/23]
View answerMy Department is acutely aware of the challenges faced by people who are homeless. A protocol is in place to ensure a customer-centric and effective approach is applied where individuals and families who are homeless seek assistance and services from the Department of Social Protection in any location across the Country. While the protocol is current, it is under review and an updated version is expected to be finalised in the coming months.
A person does not need a permanent address to apply for a social welfare payment or service. Where the person has an immediate need they may apply for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme and can be paid without a permanent address. This means tested scheme is considered to be a ‘safety net’ within the overall social welfare system in that it provides immediate assistance to eligible people whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.
People who are homeless are advised to register with their Local Authority and to engage with the relevant services available to them, for example, the Homeless Action Team / Housing Assistance Payment Section.
A person can collect their social welfare payment at their local post office, where it must be collected in person. They must have a Public Services Card (PSC), or a Social Services Card (SSC) and photo identification to collect their payment. There is no requirement to have an address in order to collect a payment at a Post Office.
If the Deputy has a specific case in mind, the details can be forwarded to the Department for review of the individual circumstances.
