The primary objective of the Telephone Support Allowance is to allow the most vulnerable people at risk of isolation, including the elderly and those with disabilities, access to personal alarms or phones for security. Therefore, the criteria for the allowance was framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible.
People who live alone would be considered amongst those most at risk of social isolation, and this payment, along with the Living Alone Increase are also in part a recognition of the greater challenges facing those living alone in avoiding poverty.
I will continue, as part of the budget planning process, to consider if improvements can be made to ensure that this benefit continues to target vulnerable cohorts. Any future decisions will, of course, have to take account of the availability of financial resources.
With regards to increases in the State Pension and the weekly income limits for fuel allowance for persons aged 66, the Government will finalise it's consideration of the Budget in the coming days having regard to all of its commitments. The outcome of this process will be announced on Budget Day.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
