Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 6 July 2023
268. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the progress to date in the determination of eligibility for an exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33254/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraUnder the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments (ANPs) to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. Items for which an ANPs may be provided include:
• the increased cost of heating and electricity,
• essential repairs to property and replacing household appliances and furniture,
• assistance with deposits for private rented accommodation,
• furniture, bedding and other items if you are setting up a home for the first time,
• funeral costs,
• recurring travel expenses such as for hospital appointments or visiting relatives in hospital or prison, or
• assistance with immediate needs such as food, clothing and accommodation expenses following an emergency event such as a house fire.
The scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the Designated Persons administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. The person must provide personal, financial, household, and other information in support of their claim to determine eligibility and to establish a need arising.
According to the records of my Department, the person concerned has not made an application for assistance under the SWA scheme. If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulty with cost-of-living expenses, they can apply for an Exceptional Needs Payment (ENP). My officials have issued an ENP pack to the person concerned which can be completed and returned to their local Community Welfare Service with documentation supporting the application.
It may be useful for the person concerned to know that the Government provides the following services to assist and advise those experiencing difficulty meeting their mortgage commitments:
• ABHAILE is the national mortgage arrears resolution service. It is provided free of charge to people in home mortgage arrears at risk of losing their home. ABHAILE is focused on providing expert financial, insolvency and legal advice aiming to put in place solutions and wherever possible enable the borrower to remain in their home.
• The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS), under the aegis of the Citizens Information Board, provides support free of charge to people, in particular those on low incomes or living on social welfare payments, with money advice, budgeting, tackling debt and mortgage related debt. MABS offer support online, over the phone and in person.
• In collaboration with MABS, the Banking and Payments Federation of Ireland (BPFI) has launched a new online resource, DealingWithDebt.ie. which provides information for customers on the best action to take if they are experiencing financial difficulties that may impact their ability to meet their mortgage or other repayments.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
