Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 September 2024
294. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection if exceptional needs payments can be expedited to meet emergency situations with a minimum of documentation, rather than allow matters to drag on, during which any such emergencies may have reached a crisis; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37946/24]
View answerThe 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 a person’s own resources, and which are deemed to be necessary.
ANPs are administered by Designated Persons (DPs) in the Community Welfare Service (CWS) who consider the requirements of the legislation and all the relevant circumstances of the case. In general, when a person makes an application for an ANP, they must show that they satisfy the qualifying conditions and show that they have a need for the payment. Documentation such as a fully completed application form, bank statements, quotes, invoices, etc. are required to support the application.
Where it has been identified that a person has an urgent or immediate need, regardless of whether they have provided all the required documentation, these claims are referred immediately to a DP for consideration. Both ENPs and UNPs are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, with consideration given to the full circumstances of the person’s claim.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
