The problem is that Question No. 11 comes first.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme health boards are empowered to make a single payment to meet an exceptional need. The intention was that such payments would provide a safety net for people at times when they cannot manage because of circumstances which are out of the ordinary.
In recent years one of the main items for which payments under this heading have been made is electricity or gas. In certain areas such payments have been made regularly to the same clients. The fact that regular payments in respect of electricity or gas are made in certain areas and not in others has also resulted in considerable inconsistency between different health boards in the administration of this aspect of the supplementary welfare allowance scheme.
Circular 14/92 was designed to introduce a degree of consistency into the administration of exceptional needs payments across health boards by offering guidance to boards in respect of such payments. The circular did not remove the basic discretion or responsibility which health boards have to make payments under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme. Indeed it could not remove this discretion. It is built into the legislation.
Circular 18/92 replaced Circular 14/92 as guidance on exceptional need payments for fuel debts. It was issued to remove any doubts which might be expressed with regard to the discretion of health boards. The circular offered guidance on the circumstances in which exceptional needs payments might be used to help with fuel debts. The circular advised that health boards should consider assistance only where exceptional circumstances, such as ill health, have given rise to higher consumption or where inability to meet a fuel bill arose from other exceptional circumstances. The circular also said that payment should be conditional on the client making use of schemes such as the ESB or gas easypay schemes or, where available, a card meter. In general payment should not exceed £100.
It was considered that the above guidance would cover the majority of exceptional needs requests. However, the circular made it clear that a health board may authorise a payment in excess of £100 or indeed a further payment, if a board considers it justified in a particular case.
