Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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437. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the assistance that her Department can provide a person (details supplied). [52812/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On reaching pension age on 3 February 2020, the person concerned was automatically transferred from the Invalidity Pension to State Pension (contributory) maximum rate increasing their weekly payment by €39.80.

The autumn cost of living double payment for State Pension (contributory) issued to them on 21 October 2022. They will also receive the Christmas Bonus double payment in December.

The €500 cost of living lump sum disability support grant to be paid in November is for people on Disability Allowance, Invalidity pension and Blind pension. As the person concerned is in receipt of a State Pension (contributory) pension, they are not eligible for this payment.

The Fuel Allowance which is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household is paid at the weekly rate of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April. As the person concerned has not submitted an application for Fuel Allowance in respect of the 2022/2023 fuel season, I have arranged for an application from to issue to them.

Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department can make additional needs payments to help meet expenses that a person is unable to do so from their weekly income.Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.