Welfare points: Clinics to process exceptional needs payments

A SERIES of community welfare service points have been opened across Cork to allow flood victims to access vital financial and provision support – provided they meet means assessment criteria.

In all, 50 clinics have been opened across the city, west Cork and north Cork to provide help to those in the most affected areas. The service has been funded by the Department of Social Welfare to make exceptional needs payments to people otherwise dependent on HSE finances.

Other supports available at the clinics include urgent needs payments for people who would not normally be entitled to social welfare assistance, but have seen their homes so badly damaged by the floods that they are in immediate need of financial support for food, clothing, fuel, or household goods.

While the service has been welcomed, however, critics have warned that the payments will be means tested, and subjected to further assessment by community welfare officers based on an applicant’s personal circumstances and degree of loss due to flooding or water damage.

In order to benefit from the service, those attending have been asked to bring proof of identity with them while applying for the support, in addition to proof of income such as a recent pay slip.

“We are particularly encouraging people who may have lost everything in the floods and those who don’t have household insurance,” said Gabrielle O’Keeffe, general manager for the HSE’s South Lee community services.

Clinic opening times are available from the HSE information line, 1850-241850.

lFurther information is available from Cork City Council at www.corkcity.ie. For water queries call the free-phone number 1800-283034 between 8am and 10pm, Monday to Friday, or the 24-hour emergency line 021-4966512.