More than 50,000 families could be missing out on working family payment
More than 50,000 families could be missing out on working family payment - The Labour Party
Labour’s social protection spokesperson Mark Wall TD has urged working families across the country to check their eligibility for the Working Family Payment following an Oireachtas Social Protection Committee hearing today which revealed that over 50,000 eligible families may be entitled to the payment .
Deputy Wall said:
“I would encourage any working family struggling through this cost of living crisis to contact their local representatives, Department of Social Protection or their local Social Welfare Branch Office to identify if they are eligible for the working family payment.
“These payments are a lifeline for many households and working families who are already feeling the pinch enough as it is with crippling cost of living increases.
“Today Daft.ie has reported the largest increase in rents in the private rental market since 2002, coupled with spiralling fuel prices for commuters and rising energy bills, working families have been abandoned by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
“We know from research conducted by the ESRI that 1 in 5 children, over 225,000, live in families below the poverty line when housing costs are accounted for, and well over 300,000 households are in arrears on their electricity bills. The crisis at kitchen tables across the country continues to grow and while this payment is not a panacea, it could be a lifeline for many.
“The Department of Social Protection must continue to expand their information campaign to ensure that people across the country are aware of the supports that are available to them.”