Apart from a number of excluded categories, anyone in the State who satisfies a habitual residency condition and a means test, has applied for any other benefit or allowances s/he may be entitled to, has registered for employment, unless they have a physical or mental disability, and can prove unemployment may qualify for a weekly payment of Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA).
In order to qualify for the payment the Department must be satisfied as to the person’s income or potential income. All facts and evidence are taken into consideration and every case is fully investigated and a decision taken on the individual circumstances of the case. In the case of taxi drivers applying for SWA, this may involve the claimant being requested to change the category of vehicle insurance from Small Public Service Vehicle to private insurance for the period that the person qualifies for SWA.
The Department is advised that changing insurance from public to private for the purpose of receiving a payment does not result in the loss of the taxi licence. If the Deputy is aware of any instances where this request has resulted in the loss of a person’s taxi licence, they should refer the details to the Department and the matter will be reviewed.
