Michael Healy-Rae
Ceist:128. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Social Protection if he will address a matter (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [58358/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 23 November 2022
Ceisteanna (128)
Freagraí scríofa
Illness Benefit is considered a short-term scheme and as such is not a qualifying payment for the secondary benefits associated with long-term social welfare payments.
Most people only stay on Illness Benefit for a short period. As you know, some people are on it since 2009 – they are known as Continuous Duration customers. As of October 2022, there were 8,536 Continuous Duration customers. This number reduces each year as people reach pensionable age.
Any Continuous Duration customer who qualifies for a long-term disability scheme may wish to consider applying, as it might be more suitable to their needs.
Long-term income supports, such as Invalidity Pension and Disability Allowance, provide for those with long-term or permanent illnesses and disabilities who cannot work or have a limited capacity to work. These schemes entitle people to secondary benefits like the Free Travel Pass, Fuel Allowance, and other increases and supports depending on their circumstances.
My Department also provides Additional Needs Payment under our Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenditure which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. This includes exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources and are deemed to be necessary.
The payment is available to anyone who needs it and qualifies, whether the person is currently on a social welfare payment or in employment. The payment amount will depend on a person’s weekly household income, their outgoings and the type of assistance needed. Payments are made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances of the case.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.