Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 12 July 2023
157. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people are in receipt of the supplementary welfare allowance for 2022 and 2023 respectively; how many applications were made for the supplementary welfare allowance in 2022 and 2023 respectively; how many applications were refused in 2022 and 2023 respectively. [34446/23]
View answer158. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection how many people are in receipt of the additional needs payment for 2022 and 2023 respectively; how many applications were made for the additional needs payment in 2022 and 2023 respectively; how many applications were refused in 2022 and 2023 respectively. [34447/23]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 157 and 158 together.
The supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) scheme is the safety net within the overall social welfare system in that it provides assistance to 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.
The basic supplementary welfare allowance 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 do not qualify for payment under other State schemes.
Rent supplement provides short-term income support to eligible people living in private rented accommodation whose means are insufficient to meet their accommodation costs and who do not have accommodation available to them from any other source. The scheme ensures that those who were renting, but whose circumstances have changed due to temporary loss of employment, can continue to meet their rental commitments.
Under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, my Department may make additional needs payments (ANPs) to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or from other personal and household resources. This is an overarching term used to refer to exceptional and urgent needs payments, and certain supplements.
During the period January 2022 to end of June 2023, 39,306 claims for basic supplementary welfare allowance were awarded and 6,992 were disallowed (refused).
Table 1 shows the number of recipients for Basic SWA, Rent Supplement and Other Supplements at year end for 2022 and as at end of June 2023. Statistics are not available at present for rent supplement claims registered and disallowed during the period. The figures presented represent a snapshot of claim activity and are subject to change.
In relation to ANPs, the reporting of this scheme was revised in 2022 to extract more complete information in relation to registrations and to include reoccurring supplements in the overarching term of an Additional Needs Payment. Statistics are now prepared and published on a quarterly basis.
Table 2 shows the number of ANPs registered and awarded for 2022 and 2023 (to end of June). The figures do not reflect the number of claims that have been withdrawn, cancelled or are awaiting further information.
During the period January 2022 to end of June 2023, 28,353 claims have been disallowed (refused).
Any person who considers they may have an entitlement to Supplementary Welfare Allowance is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications for ANPs can be made online at www.mywelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
Table 1 - Number of recipients for Basic SWA, Rent Supplement and Other Supplements at year end for 2022 and as at end of June 2023.
|
Scheme |
2022 |
2023 (at end of June) |
|
Basic SWA |
12,694 |
12,556 |
|
Rent Supplement |
9,731 |
8,801 |
|
Other Supplements |
3,465 |
3,086 |
Table 2: The number of ANPs registered and awarded for 2022 and 2023 (to end of June).
|
Year |
Claims Registered |
Claims Awarded |
|
2022 |
146,569 |
97,224 |
|
2023 (to end of June) |
72,006 |
45,175 |
