Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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1308.To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if an appeal will be facilitated against refusal for exceptional needs payment in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31936/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, my Department may make an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) to help meet essential expenditure which an eligible person could not reasonably be expected to meet from their weekly income. This is an overarching term used to refer to Exceptional Needs Payments (ENPs) and Urgent Needs Payments (UNPs) 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. ANPs are administered by Designated Persons in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) considering the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case.

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for an ANP to assist with the cost of car repairs. This claim was disallowed on the basis that the repair/maintenance of a car is an ongoing expense that a person is expected to budget for from their own resources. The person was advised of the outcome of their application in writing on 08/07/2024 and afforded the option of seeking a review of the Designated Person’s decision.

Determinations made in relation to claims made under Sections 200, 201 and 202 of the Social Welfare (Consolidation Act) 2005, namely allowances-in-kind, ENPs and UNPs, can be reviewed by a SWA Reviewing Officer under Section 323 of that Act.

Following your Parliamentary Question, a SWA Reviewing Officer reviewed the claim and considering the circumstances of the case, upheld the original decision made by the Designated Person, on the basis that car repairs and maintenance should be budgeted for on an ongoing basis. Correspondence issued to the person concerned on 19/07/2024 advising them of the outcome of the review.

If the person is experiencing financial difficulties with other essential expenses, it is open to them to make a new application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5.

Alternatively, if the person concerned has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.