Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire
Ceist:496. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Social Protection the average wait time for an additional needs payment application. [34800/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 13 July 2023
Ceisteanna (496)
Freagraí scríofa
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments (ANP) to help meet expenses that an eligible person cannot pay from their weekly income. An ANP is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional and Urgent Needs Payments, and certain other Supplements available to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
Work on hand for ANPs is within the scheme's normal processing levels and fully completed applications, where the required documentation is supplied, are processed within two weeks. Where it is clear that a person has an urgent or immediate need, every effort is made to ensure they receive a payment on the same day. Approximately 19% of clients who present to Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) each week receive a same-day cheque payment.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.