Emer Higgins (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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408. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the financial supports that are available in the interim to an individual who is awaiting the result of a post-mortem following their husband’s death and who cannot claim their husband’s life insurance policy to cover funeral expenses and so on until the full death certificate is issued (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61866/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements to assist with ongoing or recurring costs that cannot be met from the customer’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary. Assistance can be provided for funeral costs where there are no other supports available.

The schemes are 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 to ensure that the payments target those most in need of assistance.

Anyone who struggles with funeral costs is entitled to make an application for a payment under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance schemes. I would encourage them to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.