AQW 38872/22-27 Written question to the Minister for Communities
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail whether he will (i) review; or (ii) amend, the rule within the Discretionary Support Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2016 that, save in the case of a disaster, only one Discretionary Support grant may be made within any rolling 12-month period, in light of case examples in the Office of the Discretionary Support Commissioner's Annual Report 2024-2025, where this rule restricted support for households facing serious hardship, despite verified need.
Asked by Sian Mulholland MLA on 22 January 2026
- Answered
- Written
- Tabled
- 22 January 2026
- Answer due by
- 6 February 2026
- Answered
- 2 February 202611 days after tabling
- Department
- Department for Communities
- Priority question
- No
Answer
Discretionary Support claimants may be considered for up to two grants in a 12 month rolling period; one grant for items and one grant for living expenses, subject to eligibility criteria. In addition, further grant awards may be made where there is evidence of a disaster.
Proposed amendments to the Discretionary Support Scheme are currently under consideration. Any changes will need to be assessed within the context of ongoing financial constraint, with a focus to ensuring that the Scheme remains financially sustainable over the coming years.