Exceptional Needs Payments (SWA)

An Exceptional Needs Payment is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional costs, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.

For example, the payment can be for bedding or cooking utensils for someone setting up a home for the first time, visiting relatives in hospital or prison, funeral costs or for clothing in exceptional circumstances.

Given the current increase in the cost of living experienced by families due to rising energy costs, some households may incur difficulties in meeting increased costs for fuel, electricity and heating than would normally be the case. Financial support in the form of an Exceptional Needs Payment may be available to assist with the additional cost of heating and electricity.

Exceptional Needs Payments are administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the department.

Exceptional Needs Payments are provided for in legislation. The individual circumstances of the case will be taken into account. The ability of the person applying for assistance to meet that need from their own resources, alternative resources or those of the household will be considered before providing assistance.

You may be eligible for an Exceptional Needs Payment if:

• you are living in the State

You won't normally be eligible if you:

• have access to alternative resources, including savings, to meet the need
• are in full-time work (30 hours or more per week) – however, if you are in full-time work and need support, you may be eligible for an Urgent Needs Payment, for example to assist with the increased cost of fuel and electricity experienced by families due to rising energy prices.
• are in full-time education
• are involved in a trade dispute or on strike. However, you may apply for an Exceptional Needs Payment for your dependent adult or dependent child.

If you are not normally eligible for assistance under Exceptional Needs Payments, please see Urgent Needs Payments.

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

You should contact the Community Welfare Service at your Item was unpublished or removed

An application form is available to download here or from your Item was unpublished or removed

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 address
• proof of residency (where relevant)
• proof of identity, for example a Public Services Card (if you have one), a passport, driving licence, work permit, immigration (GNIB) card
• documents to show your income and financial situation, such as pay slips and bank statements

Information on other payments under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme available here.

Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.

Operational Guidelines: SWA - Exceptional Needs Payments.