Thousands of Irish households are missing out on a major cash boost.
Social welfare recipients and low-income earners hit with unexpected costs can avail of the Additional Needs Payment for emergencies. The payment can be used for essential expenses that you cannot pay from your weekly income.
People who are not getting social welfare can also avail of the payment if they are working and on a low income regardless of the number of hours that they work. Here is all you need to know about the Additional Needs Payments:
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What does ANP cover?
The payment can be used for the following:
- The increased cost of heating and electricity
- Essential repairs to property and replacing household appliances and furniture
- Assistance with deposits for private rented accommodation
- Furniture, bedding and other items if you are setting up a home for the first time
- Funeral costs
- Recurring travel expenses such as for hospital appointments or visiting relatives in hospital or prison
- Assistance with immediate needs such as food, clothing and accommodation expenses following an emergency event such as a house fire
- Other additional exceptional needs as they happen
The Additional Needs Payment does not cover non-essential household or personal expenses, or costs that are the responsibility of another government department or agency.
How to qualify for the payment?
Anyone on social welfare or low-income earners qualify for the payment. A number of factors are taken into consideration including your weekly household income, your savings and investments, your household expenses, and the type of assistance you need into account.
The application will be reviewed by a Community Welfare Officer and they will look at the circumstances before a decision is made.
What is the rate of payment?
There is no set 'rate of payment' for the Additional Needs Payment. The payment you get will depend on your weekly household income and the type of assistance you need.
Some of the examples include a couple with two children being given €1,200 for car repair and a single parent with three children being given €1,450 for boiler repair.
You can find out more on the Gov.ie website
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