Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 January 2024
867. Deputy Colm Burke asked the Minister for Social Protection if she will consider extending the household benefits scheme and additional needs payment scheme to heart failure patients, in light of the significant financial pressure faced by sufferers and the anxiety caused by a condition that results in the death of over one in three sufferers within five years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56634/23]
View answerThe Household Benefits Package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The Department of Social Protection will spend approximately €294 million this year on Household Benefits Package for over 520,000 customers.
People over the age of 70 receive the Household Benefits Package, with one package provided per household. The package is also available to people living in the State aged 66-69 years who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments or who satisfy a means test. The package is available to some people under the age of 66 who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments.
In general, access to the Household Benefits Package for those aged under 66 is a secondary benefit linked to a person being in receipt of certain primary social protection payments such as Disability Allowance, Invalidity Pension, Carer’s Allowance, Blind Pension and Partial Capacity Benefit. As many illnesses or physical conditions have an impact ranging from mild to severe, entitlement to these social welfare schemes is not provided on the basis of a diagnosis but on the basis of the impact of that diagnosis on the individual concerned and, in the case of Disability and Carer's allowance, to an assessment of their means. In this way, resources can be targeted to people in most need.
Additional Needs Payments are provided as part of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme for people who have essential expenses, which they cannot meet from their own resources. The decision process involves consideration of the need presented and the ability of the person and their household to meet that need. This entails an assessment, as opposed to a specific means test, of an applicant’s weekly household income, their savings and investments, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Other State supports that may already be available to the person are also considered. This ensures that support is provided to people with the greatest financial need.
There is no provision for an exemption of a medical condition from the decision process. However, 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.
It is also worth noting that a Heating Supplement may be paid to assist people in certain circumstances that have exceptional heating costs due to ill health, infirmity or a medical condition and are unable to meet those costs out of household income.
