O’Connor reassures social welfare recipients on payments during bad weather

Dublin South West T.D. Charlie O’Connor, who is Vice Chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Social Protection, has reassured local people in receipt of social welfare payments who are not able to reach their local Post Office during the bad weather.

“For those older people not able to reach their Post Office to collect their State Pension they can collect their payment at any time during the following 60 days.”

“Those in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance should be aware that while in the normal course of events payments expire on the Tuesday after payment day provision has now been made to collect the payment up to a week later. This arrangement will only apply to this week’s payments but the Department will keep the weather conditions under review.”

“Recipients of One Parent Family allowance through their Post Office have an extra 20 days to collect their payment and Child Benefit Payment which is due to be paid on the 7th of December can be collected for up to 90 days.”

“The Department of Social Protection has also made provision for those who receive their payments by cheque as many postal deliveries have been adversely affected. This includes those in receipt of Illness Benefit, basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance, Rent Supplement, Mortgage Interest Supplement, Disability Allowance, Family Income Supplement and a small number of Jobseekers and One Parent Family Payments. These cheques can be collected from the local An Post Delivery Office after 2pm. Proof of identification and residences will be required to collect the cheque.”

“Jobseekers who need to sign on at their local office but cannot reach it because of the weather should know that the Department of Social Protection will allow them to sign on the following week.”

“I am hopeful that the flexibility shown by the Department of Social Protection will be welcomed by those in receipt of payments. I understand that the bad weather can be a stressful and difficult time for some but I hope that anyone experiencing financial difficulties as a result of the delay in receiving their payments will contact their Community Welfare Office at their local Health Centre.”

“I was also happy to hear that utility companies have also confirmed that they will not disconnect anyone in arrears with their bills during the extreme cold spell. I would urge anyone who is having difficulties paying their gas or electricity to contact their provider and come to some payment arrangement as soon as possible,” concluded Deputy O’Connor.