Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 25 May 2023
196. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection when a person (details supplied) can expect to receive an emergency payment, given that they have received no payment since January last and have accumulated considerable local authority rent arrears of €720; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25500/23]
View answerSupports from my Department are not intended to cover circumstances where another Government Department or Agency has a primary responsibility. The provision of rental assistance to those in social housing rests with the relevant local authority. If the person concerned is experiencing difficulty with their rental payments, they are advised to contact their local authority to discuss any supports that may be available to them or to have their rent reviewed and/or a repayment plan put in place for their rent arrears.
The person concerned may also find it useful to contact the Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) which provides support with managing debt and household finances. If the person concerned requires assistance with other essential expenses that they are unable to meet from their weekly income, they may be entitled to assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme.
The SWA scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system and helps eligible people in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs and those of their dependents. Supports provided under the SWA scheme can consist of a basic weekly payment, a weekly or monthly supplement in respect of certain expenses, as well as single Additional Needs Payments (ANPs). 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.
According to the records of my Department, the person has not made a recent application for assistance under the SWA scheme. It is open to them to apply by completing a SWA1 form and providing all relevant documents in support of their application. The person can apply for an ANP online at www.MyWelfare.ie. Alternatively, the SWA1 form is available in all Intreo Centres and Branch Offices. It can also be requested by calling 0818 60 70 80 and by using this link www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. A completed application form together with any supporting documentation can be returned directly to my Department where the claim will be processed quickly.
The person concerned applied for a Jobseeker's Transitional Payment (JST) with effect from 02/02/2023. JST is a means tested payment for people who do not live with a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and whose youngest child is between 7 and 14 years. In the course of their application, the person was asked to provide proof of payment of their rent in their sole name. However as this information was not provided the application could not be progressed and the claim was closed.
If the person wishes to re-apply for JST, they can request an application form (JST1) from their local Intreo Centre or Branch Office. Alternatively, this form can be downloaded at www.gov.ie.
Information on all income supports available from my Department can be found at www.gov.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter.
