Published on Wednesday6thJune2018

Minister Doherty introduces new Telephone Support Allowance

Minister Doherty Telephone Support

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, is to introduce a new payment, the Telephone Support Allowance, which will come into effect from 4th June 2018. The Allowance is a support payment of €2.50 per week aimed at people who live alone and receive certain other payments from the Department.

Individuals who qualify for the new payment will be pensioners and those in most need of assistance. All eligible customers will receive their first Telephone Support Allowance payment by Friday, 8th June, with some customers receiving their payment as early as Wednesday 6th June.

Announcing the new payment, Minister Doherty said:

We know how important it is to stay connected to family, friends and neighbours, especially as we get older. With this new Telephone Support Allowance I hope that we can help prevent social isolation among more vulnerable members of society.

For more information on Telephone Support Allowance, visit www.welfare.ie/telephonesupport.