Gary Gannon (Dublin Central, Social Democrats)
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495. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of social protection reviews and applications by a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44199/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) is a payment for parents under 66 who are not cohabiting and whose youngest child is under 7.

The person concerned was awarded a One-Parent Family Payment (OPFP) on 19/07/2018. In line with standard practice, a review of her OPFP claim was undertaken. On 17/08/2021 the person concerned was informed she was disqualified from receiving OPFP on the grounds she is cohabiting with another person and therefore does not meet the qualifying conditions for the scheme. The person concerned received an OPFP payment up to 25/08/2021.

If the person concerned is dissatisfied with this decision it is open to her to request a review by emailing her local Intreo Centre in Nutgrove at IntreoNutgrove@welfare.ieor submit an appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office, D’Olier House, D’Olier Street, Dublin 2. Alternatively, the person concerned can submit both a request for a review and an appeal.

The person concerned made an application for Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) on 19/08/021; this is a means assessed payment. This claim was disallowed on the grounds she had not applied for any other statutory benefit, such as Jobseeker’s Allowance (JA). On her application for SWA the person concerned declared she is living with her child’s father who is in full time employment and therefore her needs were deemed to be met based on household income. If the person concerned is dissatisfied with this decision, she can appeal to the Social Welfare Appeals Office.

If the circumstances of the person concerned change it is open to her to re-apply for an OPFP or SWA payment. Alternatively, she can apply for a JA. The qualifying conditions for all schemes and payments administered by my Department can be found on www.gov.ie/dsp.

I trust this clarifies the matter.