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.