Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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284. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her views on whether a response (details supplied) is acceptable; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39738/24]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Working Family Payment (WFP) 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.

The person made an application for Working Family Payment on 2 April 2024. WFP section requested further information on 18 April 2024 and did not receive a reply. Therefore, the claim was disallowed on 14 May 2024 as the person concerned had not provided details of all household income.

A request for a review of WFP was received on 7 August 2024. This review was completed on 17 August 2024 and it was decided not to revise the original decision as the person concerned did not supply the requested information regarding all household income. The decision letter included details on the appeals process and contact information for the Social Welfare Appeals Office should the person wish to submit an appeal.

The responses to the queries relating to the person concerned reflect the decision making process where two parents reside in the same household and an application for WFP has been received. However, on foot of these further queries raised by the Deputy, an official of the department will contact the person this week to explain the decision-making process and any further options available to her.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.