The decision by some HSE offices not to provide electronic fund transfers of crucial allowances is causing “unnecessary financial hardship” for people who are blind or have low vision.
The National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) is appealing to the executive to ensure payment of the blind welfare allowance by bank transfer in all parts of the country during the coronavirus outbreak.
The allowance is a means-tested payment of up to €240 for a single person who is blind or have low vision or €480 for a blind couple, reports Irish Times.
Though mainly issued by cheque by local HSE offices, most offices will provide the option of having the payment made directly into a recipient’s bank account. However, according to the NCBI, “some local HSE offices are unwilling to make this payment by bank transfer, which is placing thousands of people who are blind and vision-impaired at unnecessary risk and financial hardship across the country”.
A spokeswoman for the HSE said: “Each local area has its own processes that dictate the method of payment”.
