Pearse Doherty (Donegal, Sinn Fein)
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294. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the working family payment unit will reassess a claim for a person (details supplied) in County Donegal; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39404/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Working Family Payment (WFP) is an income tested, in-work payment which provides additional income support to employees on low income with children. WFP applications are processed based on an applicant's circumstances, including employment earnings and income status that apply at the time of application, in accordance with the relevant social welfare legislation. The governing legislation provides that once WFP is awarded, the weekly rate remains the same for 52 weeks, regardless of changes in a claimant's earnings or income. Accordingly the WFP rate cannot be revised , during the award period, other than where legislation permits.

An application was received from the person concerned on 11 August 2020, and WFP was awarded for 52 weeks, with effect from 13 August 2020 to 11 August 2021, based on the wage slip submitted. At the time of application the person concerned was in receipt of employment earnings, via the government's Temporary Wage Subsidy Scheme. (TWSS) , as reflected in the wage slip that was provided with their application.

Following requests from the person concerned, reviews of the above decision were completed on 18 September 2020 and 13 November 2020 respectively. The Department's position did not change and the above decision was upheld. Accordingly, in view of the above WFP 52 week payment rule, and the information available to the department, there are no further grounds to review the above decision.

The person concerned may pursue an appeal to the independent Social Welfare Appeals Office. (SWAO)

I trust this clarifies the position for the Deputy.