Pa Daly, Sinn Féin TD for Kerry has called on Minister for Rural and Community Development and Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, to urgently address delays in the processing of Supplementary Welfare cases, claiming that some applications are delayed by up to eight weeks.
Teachta Daly said that his office is assisting a number of people seeking help with their Supplementary Welfare or Additional Needs claims.
“These claims have always been made via Community Welfare Officers who are based in local Department of Social Protection offices and, given they are emergency payments, they are usually dealt with very quickly,” said Teachta Daly.
Kerry Cases Processed in Galway
“I have noticed that people are waiting four, six or even eight weeks for their claims to be processed. For some applicants it is only at this stage that they are asked to provide additional information if it is required, which can mean further delays.
“These delays have occurred at the same time that Government has removed Community Welfare Officers from the local offices and adopted a centralised processing approach. Many of Kerry’s applications are processed in Tuam, Co. Galway for example.
Additional Needs Payment
“At the start of the summer, Minister Ryan encouraged people to avail of the Additional Needs Payment, which would be considered for people not normally eligible for Supplementary Welfare, given the cost of living crisis.
People can apply for this payment if they cannot afford fuel or electricity bills or unexpected home repairs for example.
Wider Eligibility Criteria
“This is a particularly expensive time of year for families given the cost of sending children back to school.
“Those who were refused the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance are turning to the Additional Needs Payment to help them pay for household bills as they have nothing left after books and uniforms are paid for.
“Sinn Féin called for a widening of the eligibility criteria for the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance and the Fuel Allowance earlier this year in anticipation of spiralling costs, but this was ignored by government. As a result, families are having to apply for Supplementary Welfare or Additional Needs Payment.
Asleep at the Wheel
“Government should have foreseen the doubling in demand for these payments but, yet again, they appear to have been asleep at the wheel.
“I know of too many parents taking out loans, having no money for food or electricity and feeling completely broken as they try to get their children back to school. What should be an exciting time for children is instead filled with stress and worry for the whole family.
“Minister Humphreys must now address the processing delays for these claims and ensure that families are not experiencing unnecessary hardship as they head into the winter months,” Teachta Daly concluded.
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