Under the provisions of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme a weekly supplement can be paid towards rent and mortgage interest payments. Such supplements may be paid where the rent or mortgage interest exceeds £5 per week. The amount of supplement is determined by the Health Board having regard to the circumstances of the case. The maximum supplement is the amount which, after payment of rent or mortgage interest, would leave the recipient with an income equal to the rate of Supplementary Welfare Allowance appropriate to his family in size, less £5.
It is understood from the Eastern Health Board, which is responsible for the administration of the scheme in the Dublin area, that the people concerned were refused a mortgage supplement as their combined income, after payment of mortgage interest, exceeds the appropriate level.
The total income of the household at present is £158.10. If the wife were to cease her involvement in the Social Employment Scheme and revert to Unemployment Assistance the household income would be £117.40. In that event the household would qualify for a mortgage supplement under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
