Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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281. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an appeal will be arranged in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [60137/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Working Family Payment (WFP) is an income-tested weekly payment which provides additional financial support to employees on low earnings with children.

An application to renew WFP was received from the person concerned on 27th September 2022. A Deciding Officer reviewed the application and requested further information. The person concerned provided this information and requested that their rent, travel to work expenses, loan repayment and medical expenses for a dependent adult be taken into consideration in their income assessment.

WFP provides financial support for employees who have low earnings/income relative to their family size. The WFP rate payable is 60% of the difference between the average weekly family income and the relevant prescribed income limit.

In order to qualify for WFP, a family's income must be below a prescribed limit which varies in accordance with the number of qualified children. Unfortunately for the person concerned, WFP does not consider any dependent members of the household other than qualified children. All family and household income is assessable for WFP and includes an applicant's average net weekly assessable earnings from employment plus any other income such as other social welfare payments, income from self-employment, etc. As WFP is an income-assessed scheme and does not include a means assessment, there is no provision in legislation to take into consideration household expenses.

The application was disallowed on 11^thOctober 2022 as the weekly family income for the person concerned was not less than the prescribed income level for their family size (1 qualified child).

If the person concerned has a change in their financial circumstances or they satisfy the conditions for WFP later, they may reapply for WFP. They may also contact their local Intreo Office or check online at gov.ie for information on other social welfare schemes that their circumstances may entitle them to.

The person concerned has also been advised that they have a right to appeal this decision directly to the independent Chief Appeals Officer at: Social Welfare Appeals Office, FREEPOST, D'Olier House, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2, DO2 XY31 or by email to: .

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.