Information
Exceptional Needs Payment and Urgent Needs Payment are payments under the
Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme.
Exceptional Needs Payment
An Exceptional Needs Payment is a single payment to help meet essential,
once-off, exceptional expenditure, which a person could not reasonably be
expected to meet out of their weekly income. For example, the payments can be
for special clothing for a person who has a serious illness, bedding or cooking
utensils for someone setting up a home for the first time, visiting relatives
in hospital or prison, or funeral costs.
Help with funeral costs
You may be eligible for an Exceptional Needs Payment to help you with the
cost of a funeral if your income is low. Each case is decided on its merits by
the Department
of Social Protection's representative (formerly known as the Community Welfare
Officer) at your local health centre.
Help with fuel bills
You may get help with the cost of your electricity or natural gas bill but
only in exceptional circumstances. The Department's representative will make a
decision on your case using the Code of Practice on Fuel
Debt.
Urgent needs payments
An Urgent Needs Payment may be paid to people in emergency situations. For
example, in the case of a fire, flood or other disaster, you may get a payment
to help with the immediate cost of food and clothing. Depending on your
circumstances, for example, if you are working or when an insurance claim has
been settled, you may have to pay some or all of this back at a later date.
Rules
Exceptional Needs Payment
You may be eligible for an Exceptional Needs Payment if:
- you are living in the state
- you satisfy a means test
- you have applied for any other benefit/allowance you may be entitled to
- you have registered to work with FÁS (if you are of working age).
You won't normally be eligible if you are:
- in full-time work (more than 30 hours a week)
- in full-time education
- involved in a trade dispute or on strike. However, a dependant
adult or dependant
child of a person on strike can apply.
Urgent Needs Payment
You may get an urgent needs payment no matter what your means, but might
have to pay it back at a later date, for example, if you are earning or later
get insurance compensation.
How to apply
It is recommended that you apply for funeral assistance before the funeral
takes place, however, failing this, you should apply as soon as possible
afterwards.
To apply for either type of needs payment you will need:
- Personal
Public Service (PPS) numbers for yourself, your spouse/civil
partner/cohabitant and your children (Child
Benefit books or birth certificates if you don't have PPS numbers for
the children)
- Evidence of any income or social welfare assistance you are getting
- A rent book or statement of your mortgage interest payments if you are
looking for help with your rent or mortgage.