Exceptional Needs Payments (SWA)
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
An Exceptional Needs Payment is a single payment to help meet essential, once-off, exceptional costs, which a person could not reasonably be expected to meet out of their weekly income.
For example, the payment can be for bedding or cooking utensils for someone setting up a home for the first time, visiting relatives in hospital or prison, funeral costs or for clothing in exceptional circumstances.
Given the current increase in the cost of living experienced by families due to rising energy costs, some households may incur difficulties in meeting increased costs for fuel, electricity and heating than would normally be the case. Financial support in the form of an Exceptional Needs Payment may be available to assist with the additional cost of heating and electricity.
Exceptional Needs Payments are administered by the Community Welfare Service (CWS) of the department.
Exceptional Needs Payments are provided for in legislation. The individual circumstances of the case will be taken into account. The ability of the person applying for assistance to meet that need from their own resources, alternative resources or those of the household will be considered before providing assistance.
You may be eligible for an Exceptional Needs Payment if:
You won't normally be eligible if you:
If you are not normally eligible for assistance under Exceptional Needs Payments, please see Urgent Needs Payments.
The amount of payment you get will depend on a means test and the type of assistance you need.
You should contact the Community Welfare Service at your local office.
An application form is available to download here or from your local office.
Application Form: Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA1)
Claim Form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance/Additional Needs Payment. Edition: July 2023.
To help process your claim, you should have the following:
Operational guidelines describe the processes and procedures that staff in the department follow when carrying out their work.