Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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136. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the payment options available to a person (details supplied); the reason Intreo has not followed up on a basic supplementary welfare payment; and when they can expect a basic supplementary welfare payment. [60421/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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The basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) provides immediate assistance for those in need who are awaiting the outcome of a claim or an appeal for a primary social welfare payment or for those who do not qualify for a payment under other State schemes. Basic SWA payments are administered by Community Welfare Officers in the Community Welfare Service considering the requirements of the legislation, all the relevant circumstances of the case and are means tested. The means test assesses all household income, savings, shares, investments, or property owned (apart from the applicant’s home).

According to the records of the Department, the person concerned applied for a basic SWA and this claim was disallowed on the basis that his weekly household means were deemed to be in excess of the weekly SWA rate applicable to his family circumstances. A letter advising the person concerned of this decision and affording him the opportunity to seek a review or appeal issued to him on 03/11/2025.

Under the 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 and household or personal resources. If the person concerned is experiencing financial difficulties with cost of living/household expenses, it is open to him to make an application for assistance by completing a SWA1 form and providing all necessary supporting documentation. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices 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 has a verified MyGovID account, he can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.

I trust this clarifies the matter.