New Rules for Social Welfare Payment for Those Granted Asylum BUT Living in Direct Provision

From Irish Refugee Council

 People with status living in Direct Provision who are receiving a social welfare payment should be receiving the full amount as of October 2020 - I am talking about payments such as jobseekers allowance, disability allowance, back to education allowance – not the daily expenses allowance. Non cash benefits (direct provision accommodation and food) should no longer be subtracted from the overall amount received. This is as a result of a change in legislation that came into effect on 30 September 2020  

Full details here -/>
 
Any residents living in DP with status who are still receiving a reduced social welfare payment, they should contact their local social welfare office in order to trigger a review of their claim. The review should be backdated to 1 October 2020 and as a result, some will be entitled to arrears. We have heard of certain social welfare offices that are reluctant to facilitate the above, so that is something to keep an eye out for.
 
Also, those who are in receipt of the daily expenses allowances when they are granted status should, where appropriate, apply for a full social welfare payment as soon as they can. Some residents have received letters requiring them to do this within a certain time frame. I have also heard of the daily expenses allowance being withdrawn from residents without warning.

If you are having any related difficulties, contact your Social Welfare Office immediately.

---