With thousands of people returning to work over the next number of weeks there will be a lot of change for people currently receiving social welfare payments.
While the pandemic unemployment payment will see a number of changes in the coming months, while others will cease receiving it as they return to work.
Meanwhile there are countless people across the country claiming other forms of social welfare. However there are many who may still be struggling to make ends meet.
Thankfully the Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance can give you addition benefits if you can't afford your needs.
Here's how it works:
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough income to meet their needs and those of their families.
If you have no income, you may be entitled to the basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA).
If your weekly income is below the Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate for your family size, a payment may be made to bring your income up to the appropriate Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate.
If you have claimed a social welfare benefit or pension but it has not yet been paid and you have no other income, you may qualify for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance while you are waiting for your payment. However, the amount paid while you are waiting will be deducted from the arrears of your social welfare payment.
If you have returned to work, you can claim the basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance for up to 30 days while you are waiting for your wages.
You will not normally qualify for basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance if you are:
- In full-time work, that is, working for 30 hours or more per week- (This condition does not apply to your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant. However, any income they have from work is taken into account in the means test.)I
- In full-time education.
- Involved in a trade dispute. However, you may claim Supplementary Welfare Allowance for your dependants.
You should apply for Supplementary Welfare Allowance to the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection's Community Welfare Service at your local office as soon as the need arises.
You must fill in a Supplementary Welfare Allowance claim form (pdf).
To help process your claim, you should have the following:
- Personal Public Service (PPS) numbers for yourself, your spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and your children
- Proof of residency
- Proof of identity, for example, a Public Services Card (if you have one), a passport, driving licence, work permit, Irish Residence Permit or (GNIB card), etc.
- Evidence of any household income
- Birth certificates for any children you include in your application
- Documents to show your income and financial situation, such as, pay slips, tax statements, bank statements, etc.
