Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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208. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason for refusal of working family payment and supplementary welfare allowance in the name of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16034/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Working Family Payment (WFP), formerly Family Income Supplement, is a weekly in-work support which provides an income top-up for employees on low earnings with children. To qualify for Working Family Payment, the customer must have at least one qualified child who normally resides with them and be working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight in ongoing insurable employment.

An application for WFP was received on 12th May 2022 for the person concerned. A letter issued on 8 July 2022 advising that the claim was disallowed as the person concerned did not meet the eligibility criteria of working a minimum of 38 hours per fortnight. The person concerned contacted the department on 6th October 2022 requesting an update on their application and advised they had not received the disallowance letter and would like the decision reviewed.

A further review was initiated on 22nd March 2023. A deciding officer requested payslips from the person concerned showing they met the eligibility criteria for the scheme on an ongoing basis.

Upon receipt of the requested documentation from the person concerned, their WFP application will be processed without delay and they will be notified of the outcome.

According to our records, we do not have a current supplementary welfare allowance application from the person concerned.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.