Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Social Protection if she will outline the status of applicants, who are married or have partners, waiting on a decision in relation to an invalidity pension to access community welfare officer support in the interim period; her plans to allow such support; the supports available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34365/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that, subject to qualifying conditions, it provides assistance to any persons in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.

Apart from a number of excluded categories, anyone in the State who satisfies a habitual residency condition and a means test, has registered for employment, unless they have a physical or mental disability, and can prove unemployment or are pending a decision on a social welfare claim, may qualify for a weekly payment of SWA.

A person making an application for SWA should contact the local Departmental representative administering the SWA scheme who will make an assessment of their entitlements based on their individual circumstances.