Cost-of-living crisis drives increase in demand for additional needs payments

The additional needs payments from the Community Welfare Service can be used to cover costs such as fuel, utility bills, clothing and even prams and funeral expenses.

Requests for assistance through additional needs payments are up 18% and cost the State almost €17m in just the first five months of this year.

The cost-of-living crisis is understood to be the reason behind the jump in demand for direct assistance, administered by the Community Welfare Service, covering costs such as fuel, utility bills, clothing and even prams and funeral expenses.