Paul Murphy
Ceist:335. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Social Protection the grants or payments that can be made to a person (details supplied). [60188/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 6 December 2022
Ceisteanna (335)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. Assistance can be provided for fuel costs where there are no other supports available.
The schemes are demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the schemes taking into account 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.
Anyone who struggles with heating costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.