Community welfare
Other payments – Community Welfare
Community Welfare Services are provided by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the HSE (Health Service Executive). CWOs are based in health centres and manage the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those of their qualified adult dependents or any qualified children.
You will normally qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if you meet the following conditions:
As everyone’s individual circumstances are different, it is best to contact the Community Welfare Officer directly to discuss your particular situation.
What type of payments?
The types of payments made under this scheme include:
Other supplements
There are other supplements to cover exceptional weekly costs you might have that you cannot pay for from your own resources. Examples include:
There is also an Exceptional Needs Payments for things like buggies, clothing and funeral costs.
There are Urgent Needs Payments to help with things, not covered by general insurance, like:
The Community Welfare Officer (CWO) will always assess each case and tell you what you are entitled to.
CWOs hold a number of clinics every week usually in a health centre and you do not need an appointment. In some areas CWOs will also deal with applications relating to medical cards and Nursing Home Subventions (money towards the cost of nursing home care). A list of clinics in Limerick can be found here: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-limerick.aspx.
Appeals
If you are not happy about your CWO’s decision, or if your application has been refused you may appeal to the independent appeals section of the Health Service Executive who will ask for your file so they can examine your application and the decision made about it.
For appeals contact:
Appeals Office,
Health Service Executive,
Phone: (061) 461 478/395;
Lo Call: 1890 74 74 34
How to apply
You should apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance or advice on services in your area to your Community Welfare Officer at your local health centre as soon as the need arises. There are several health centres around Limerick city and county. You can find one close to you at: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-limerick.aspx.
Or contact your local Citizen’s Information Centre:
Limerick CIC
54 Catherine Street
Limerick
Tel: 0761 07 5780 (Mon. to Fri. 9.30am to 4.30pm)
LoCall: 1890 777 121, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm
Citizens Information Centres provide comprehensive information on all aspects of public services and what people in Ireland are entitled to. Citizen’s information is also available by calling in person to a Citizens Information Centre (CIC) near you where you will get free and confidential advice.
Other payments – Community Welfare
Community Welfare Services are provided by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs) in the HSE (Health Service Executive). CWOs are based in health centres and manage the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme. Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance is a weekly allowance paid to people who do not have enough means to meet their needs and those of their qualified adult dependents or any qualified children.
You will normally qualify for Supplementary Welfare Allowance if you meet the following conditions:
- you live in the state;
- you satisfy the means test;
- you have applied for any other benefit or allowance you may be entitled to; and
- you satisfy the ‘habitual residence’ test (except for the Exceptional Needs Payment).
As everyone’s individual circumstances are different, it is best to contact the Community Welfare Officer directly to discuss your particular situation.
What type of payments?
The types of payments made under this scheme include:
- Supplementary Welfare Allowance;
- Rent Supplement;
- Mortgage Interest Supplement;
- Diet and Heating Supplements;
- Back to School Clothing and Footwear Scheme;
- Fuel Allowance; and
- Crèche (in exceptional circumstances only when supported by a public health nurse, social worker or other health professional).
Other supplements
There are other supplements to cover exceptional weekly costs you might have that you cannot pay for from your own resources. Examples include:
- travel to hospital or clinics on a weekly basis where you have no other help; and
- if someone living in your home has a severe illness and needs extra money to pay for things like an oxygen tank.
There is also an Exceptional Needs Payments for things like buggies, clothing and funeral costs.
There are Urgent Needs Payments to help with things, not covered by general insurance, like:
- fire;
- flood; and
- storms.
The Community Welfare Officer (CWO) will always assess each case and tell you what you are entitled to.
CWOs hold a number of clinics every week usually in a health centre and you do not need an appointment. In some areas CWOs will also deal with applications relating to medical cards and Nursing Home Subventions (money towards the cost of nursing home care). A list of clinics in Limerick can be found here: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-limerick.aspx.
Appeals
If you are not happy about your CWO’s decision, or if your application has been refused you may appeal to the independent appeals section of the Health Service Executive who will ask for your file so they can examine your application and the decision made about it.
For appeals contact:
Appeals Office,
Health Service Executive,
Phone: (061) 461 478/395;
Lo Call: 1890 74 74 34
How to apply
You should apply for a Supplementary Welfare Allowance or advice on services in your area to your Community Welfare Officer at your local health centre as soon as the need arises. There are several health centres around Limerick city and county. You can find one close to you at: http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/otheroffice/community-welfare-office-limerick.aspx.
Or contact your local Citizen’s Information Centre:
Limerick CIC
54 Catherine Street
Limerick
Tel: 0761 07 5780 (Mon. to Fri. 9.30am to 4.30pm)
LoCall: 1890 777 121, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm
Citizens Information Centres provide comprehensive information on all aspects of public services and what people in Ireland are entitled to. Citizen’s information is also available by calling in person to a Citizens Information Centre (CIC) near you where you will get free and confidential advice.