Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 28 June 2022
638. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the eligibility for assistance for a funeral bill in the case of a person (details supplied) will be granted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33681/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe purpose of the Additional Needs payment (ANP), including the Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP), is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.
Applications for ANPs (and ENPs) are made under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service in my Department.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned applied for financial assistance towards the cost of funeral expenses on 15/03/2022. The claim was disallowed on the basis that the person had already paid the funeral expenses and had not shown that a need for assistance existed.
Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.
Following a request from the person concerned a review of the decision was undertaken by the SWA Reviewing Officer. In the course of the review, the person concerned was asked to provide signed statements from the three persons who had paid the undertaker’s bill and to whom the person is repaying the amount paid.
This information was not provided by the person concerned and in the absence of these statements the SWA Reviewing Officer upheld the original decision of the Designated Person.
It is open to the person concerned to provide this information and a further review of her claim will be carried out.
In her correspondence with my Department, the person concerned mentions that she has medical issues which incur additional costs. The person concerned has been advised previously that she may apply for assistance with these costs under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. A report or statement from a medical or healthcare professional in support of her application should be provided if the person concerned makes an application in this regard.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
