Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 November 2023
345. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of the working family payment for a person (details supplied); when a decision will be made; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [51034/23]
View answerWorking Family Payment (WFP) is a weekly in-work income support for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment and have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them.
An application for WFP has been received by the Department from the person concerned. This application was examined by a deciding officer and further information was requested on 17th May 2023. The additional information has not yet been received by the Department. A second request for the required information issued on 3rd July 2023 which also advised that a decision could not be made on their WFP claim until their partner’s Jobseekers Allowance Claim - which is currently under appeal - had been completed by the Social Welfare Appeals Office. A third notification issued on 25th August 2023 advising the person concerned a decision on the WFP could not be made until the appeal for Jobseekers Allowance was completed.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office is an Office of the Department of Social Protection which is responsible for determining appeals against decisions in relation to social welfare entitlements. Appeals Officers are independent in their decision-making functions.
The Social Welfare Appeals Office has advised me that an appeal by the person concerned has been received. This appeal has been referred to an Appeals Officer who will make a summary decision on the appeal based on the documentary evidence presented or, if required, hold an oral appeal hearing.
When a decision has been made on this Appeal, a deciding officer will review the WFP claim and the person concerned will be advised in writing of the decision.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
