Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 18 January 2024
231. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection to indicate the extent to which an appropriate payment is in place and arrears paid up to date in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2303/24]
View answerOne Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a payment for parents under 66 who are not cohabiting, and whose youngest child is under 7. Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment (JST) is a is a special arrangement under the Jobseeker’s Allowance scheme which a person may qualify for if they do not live with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and their youngest child is between 7 and 14 years old.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned was in receipt of OPFP from 27/07/2023 until their youngest two children turned 7 years of age on 23/12/2023 and the person’s OPFP payment ceased.
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme which is the safety net within the overall social welfare system, helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANP)s. The basic 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.
Departmental records show that when the person’s OPFP claim ended, they applied for a basic SWA which was awarded in order to allow the person time to submit a JST application. As the person concerned did not apply for JST, their basic SWA was suspended and they were contacted by a Community Welfare Officer. The person concerned advised my Department that she no longer wished to submit a JST application as her partner had moved back into her home and she had found employment. As a result, the person’s basic SWA was closed and they were advised to apply for Working Family Payment (WFP).
Under the SWA scheme, my Department may make an ANP to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs), and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.
If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties they can apply for assistance by completing a SWA1 form which is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by calling 0818 60 70 80 and by using this link www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. On receipt of a completed application form and supporting documentation, the person’s claim will be assessed, and they will be advised of the outcome in writing. Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.
Further information on all of my Department’s schemes and payments is available at www.gov.ie.
