Social Welfare
NCLC offers information and advice regarding social welfare entitlements. We also represent individuals before the Social Welfare Appeals Office who wish to challenge a negative decision of a Deciding Officer of the Department. NCLC deals with cases concerning all types of social welfare benefits, in addition to cases involving social welfare overpayments. In certain cases the Law Centre also provides representation to individuals before the District Court in respect of prosecutions on behalf of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs for breaches of provisions of the Social Welfare legislation.
In respect of appeals, the Social Welfare Appeals Office can determine a case
by way of written documentation or by holding an oral hearing. In some cases,
NCLC will represent individuals at the oral hearing.
NCLC also provides advice in respect of the Supplementary Welfare Allowance
Scheme administered through the Community Welfare Officers. In these cases,
negative decisions can be appealed to the Health Services Executive, which
is a written appeal only, no oral hearings are held in these cases. The decision
of the Health Services Executive, however, can be appealed further to the Social
Welfare Appeals Office.
Helpful Links:
Free Legal Advice Centres
www.flac.ie
Citizens Information Centres
www.comhairle.ie/citizens-centres.html
Social Welfare
www.welfare.ie
Social Welfare Appeals Office
www.welfare.ie/appeals
Comhairle
www.comhairle.ie
Oasis: information on public services
www.oasis.gov.ie
