Exceptional and urgent needs payments

Information

Exceptional Needs Payment and Urgent Needs Payment are payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. This scheme is administered by the Health Service Executive (HSE) on behalf of the Department of Social Protection.

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 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 Community Welfare Officer 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.

Rates

The amount of payment you get will depend on a means test and the type of assistance you need.

 

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/cohabitee 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.

Where to apply

You should approach the Community Welfare Officer at your local health centre.

For further details, see the Supplementary Welfare Allowance leaflet (SW54) which is also available from your local health centre.