Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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243. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if, in the course of a review of entitlement to a social welfare payment, provision is made for a basic payment until the outcome is determined in view of the fact that in the past some applicants have become homeless due to failure to meet their rent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39115/18]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependants.

Basic weekly SWA may be paid to customers awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment.  In certain circumstances if a person is not eligible for other social welfare payments and their weekly income is below the SWA rate for their family size, a payment may be made to bring their income up to the appropriate SWA rate.  Apart from a number of excluded categories, anyone in the State who satisfies a habitual residence condition and a means test, has registered for employment (unless they have a physical or mental disability) and can prove unemployment may qualify for SWA. 

The Community Welfare Service (CWS) officer will engage with the claimant to establish eligibility as quickly as possible and limit any delay to payments.  If there is a specific risk of homelessness this should be communicated to the CWS officer at the earliest opportunity.  

Continued entitlement to a rent supplement payment from the Department is not linked to entitlement to other social welfare schemes, however the rent supplement claim may be reviewed following a decision to suspend or disallow a primary social welfare payment as there may be a change to the claimant’s circumstances that could affect eligibility. During a review of a rent supplement claim, the CWS officers will engage with the claimant to establish continued eligibility as quickly as possible and limit any delay to payments. 

Any person in this situation is encouraged to contact the Department’s CWS responsible for their rent supplement claim to discuss their circumstances.  Any persons who consider that they have an entitlement to a basic weekly SWA payment should contact the CWS at their local Intreo centre. 

If the Deputy has concerns in respect of a particular case he should bring the details to the attention of the Department.  

I trust this clarifies the matter.