Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 548: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs the reason a person (details supplied) in County Westmeath did not receive supplementary welfare allowance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33797/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The supplementary welfare allowance scheme (SWA) is administered on my behalf by the Community Welfare division of the Health Service Executive (HSE). The person concerned applied for SWA on 18th September 2007. The HSE has advised that payment was awarded from that date and remained in payment until 29 October 2007. Retrospective payments are not made under the terms of the SWA scheme. SWA payments may only be made from the date a claim is made.

An application for Illness Benefit was registered on 20th September 2007 for the person concerned. However, this claim was refused as the qualifying criteria were not satisfied. The person concerned was informed of this decision with an explanation of the reasons why his claim was not allowed. The procedures he should follow in order to have his claim re-examined were also set out. If an applicant for SWA is not satisfied with the decision made in their case, they may lodge an appeal to the Appeals Office of the Health Service Executive.