As the winter chill sets in, heating your home becomes a priority. But what if you’re facing financial constraints? This is where Fuel Allowance steps in – a valuable payment to help cover your winter heating costs.
Who Qualifies for Fuel Allowance?
You may be eligible if:
- You are aged 70 or older. This criterion doesn’t require a means test, making it accessible for seniors.
- If you’re under 70, you must be receiving certain long-term social welfare payments, both from Ireland and qualifying payments from the EU or other eligible countries. To determine your eligibility, a means test is conducted.
Household Considerations:
- Only one member of your household can receive the Fuel Allowance. If someone in your home already receives it, there’s no need for an additional application. However, if a household member is aged 70 or over, they should apply separately, as their eligibility criteria may differ.
Upcoming Changes for Over 70s:
Important changes to Fuel Allowance for those aged 70 and over will take effect from January 2023. Stay informed about these modifications to ensure you receive the support you deserve.
Qualifying Social Welfare Payments:
You may qualify for a Fuel Allowance if you are getting:
- Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (if qualified)
- Blind Pension
- Death Benefit Pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
- Deserted Wife’s Benefit or Allowance
- Disability Allowance
- Farm Assist
- Guardian’s Payment (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
- Incapacity Supplement under the Disablement Pension Scheme
- Invalidity Pension
- Jobseeker’s Transitional Payment
- Jobseeker’s Allowance (if qualified)
- One-Parent Family Payment
- Revenue Job Assist
- Social Security Payment (of which there is an Irish equivalent payment) from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
- State Pension Contributory or Non-contributory
- Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension Contributory or Non-contributory
Additional Eligibility Criteria:
Fuel Allowance is not just about age or social welfare payments. To receive this benefit, you should live alone or with specific individuals, such as a dependent spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant, and/or dependent children. Others in your household receiving certain qualifying payments may also be eligible.
Furthermore, if you’re a full-time carer and someone in your household meets the criteria for Fuel Allowance, you could benefit from this allowance.
The weekly rate of payment is currently €33 or two lump sums of €462 during the Fuel Allowance season, which is usually from late September to April.
People getting certain social welfare payments can choose to get their Fuel Allowance paid in two instalments. The first instalment sum is paid at the start of the Fuel Allowance season and the second is paid in January.
Don’t let heating costs put your well-being at risk during the winter months. Explore Fuel Allowance to ensure you and your loved ones stay warm and comfortable when the cold weather arrives.