Niamh Smyth
Ceist:561. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) is not receiving the widowers grant; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32270/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 17 June 2025
Ceisteanna (561)
Freagraí scríofa
The Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant is for widows, widowers, or surviving civil partners, who have one or more dependent children living with them at the date of death, along with satisfying the other criteria.
A dependent child is defined in Sections 2(3) of the Social Welfare Consolidation Act 2005, as being a child under age 18, or over age 18 but under age 22 and in full-time education. The person concerned was widowed on 7 February 2025 and his child had reached age 22 on 5 July 2024. Consequently, as the person concerned did not have a dependent child living with him at the time of death, he is not entitled to the Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, my Department may make Additional Needs Payments to help meet essential or urgent expenses that a person cannot meet from their own resources. These payments are available through Community Welfare Officers.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.