Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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637. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that the fuel allowance was not paid in 2022 in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [33639/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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According to the records in my Department, the person concerned was awarded a basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) with effect from 03/09/2021 while awaiting the outcome of an application for Disability Allowance (DA). The person's DA application was subsequently disallowed. The Designated Person is currently awaiting confirmation that an appeal for DA has been lodged with the Social Welfare Appeals Office in order that the person’s SWA payment can continue.

A fuel allowance is not payable with SWA while another claim is pending award.

If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties, he can apply for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) or a Heating Supplement by contacting his local Community Welfare Service where his circumstances will be assessed.

The purpose of an ANP is to assist people with essential, once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income. The ANP scheme is demand led and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case in order to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

To assist the person concerned an application pack has issued to him by post. When a completed application and supporting documentation is received, the claim will be assessed, and the person concerned will be advised of the outcome.

I trust this clarifies the matter.