• Stay Connected
    • Latest Posts in RSS
      • Advertising Feature
      • Budget 2012
      • Business
      • Community
      • Entertainment
      • Featured Story
      • Features
      • Features
      • GAA Club News and Events
      • Jobs & Careers
      • Letters to the Editor
      • Lifestyle
      • News
      • Old Newry
      • Politics
      • Sport
      • What's On
    • Latest Comments in RSS
    • Follow us on Twitter
    • Connect on Facebook
  • /
  • Home
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Community
    • Entertainment
    • What's On
    • Features
    • Lifestyle
    • Letters to the Editor
  • Features
  • Old Newry
  • Jobs & Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Advertise on Newry Times
    • Contact Us
  • Contact Newry Times
  • Disclaimer

Newry MLA raises concerns over benefit processing times

Posted by NewryTimes News
editor@newrytimes.com
Thursday, August 8th, 2019
Politics

SDLP Assembly Member for Newry and Armagh Justin McNulty MLA has raised concerns about the length of time it is taking to process the Maternity Allowance Benefit by the Department of Communities.

Speaking to Newry Times, McNulty explained, “Whilst assisting some constituents recently I became aware of the current backlog in processing the Maternity Allowance Benefit by the Department of Communities. 

Article continues below

“Maternity Allowance is an out of work or low-income benefit similar to the Statutory Maternity Pay paid to those in work and it is currently taking eight weeks to process a claim for the benefit.

 

 

“This is simply not good enough as it further adds to the enormous pressures on families at a time when they are adjusting to a new baby in the home,” he insisted.

“Maternity Allowance by its very nature is often claimed by women who are either in receipt of an income-based benefit or they have not worked enough hours during a qualifying period.

“I have raised my concerns about this with the Permanent Secretary at the Department of Communities Tracy Meharg. 

 

 

“I have asked that additional resources are put in place to clear the backlog and to speed up processing times.

“The time when a baby is born can be an expensive time for a family and the lack of immediate financial support can only add to the pressures faced by the new parents. 

The local MLA added, “I hope by raising this issue with the Permanent Secretary action will be taken.”

 

 

Both comments and pings are currently closed.

Comments are closed

Recent Entries

  • “Local potholes are going unchecked” – Sinn Féin Councillor
  • Newry company STATSports data security awarded highest level of certification
  • Call for Newry creative businesses for funded internship programme
  • Time Out for Newry carers of adults with a disability
  • Newry graduate creates software system to help deal with chronic illness
  • Newry police to “focus on street level drug dealing”
  • Good Beginnings: New five year Infant Mental Health Strategy launched locally
  • SDLP writes directly to health care workers across Northern Ireland
  • Police launch Christmas Domestic Abuse Campaign
  • Sacred Heart girls sail through to the Ulster final
-->
  • News
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Sport
  • Community
  • Features
  • Old Newry
  • Jobs & Careers

This website does not share personal information with third parties nor do we store any information about your visit other than to analyze and optimize your content and reading experience through the use of cookies. You can turn off the use of cookies at anytime by changing your specific browser settings.

We are not responsible for republished content from this blog on other blogs or websites without our permission. This privacy policy is subject to change without notice and was last updated on 16/01/2017. If you have any questions feel free to contact Newry Times by emailing editor@newrytimes.com

  • Cookie Policy
  • Advertise on Newry Times
  • Contact Newry Times
  • Disclaimer
  • RSS
Log in

Cookies

This site uses cookies: Find out more.