Minister Calleary announces commencement of Fuel Allowance Season

• Fuel Allowance to be paid to 410,000 households across the State from this week
• Scheme has been expanded this year to allow more households to qualify

The Minister for Social Protection, Dara Calleary TD, has today announced the start of the Fuel Allowance Scheme for the 2025/26 Season.

Fuel Allowance, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks to 410,000 households across the State.

The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two instalment payments of €462 each.

The scheme has been expanded this year to allow more households to qualify.

From January 2025, the over 70s enhanced qualifying conditions were extended to people aged 66 and over.

These enhanced conditions include:

• A person aged over 66 no longer has to be in receipt of a Social Protection payment to apply for Fuel Allowance.
• A single person aged 66 or over can have means of €524 per week while a couple can have means of €1,048 per week.
• In addition, the amount of capital that is disregarded was increased from €20,000 to €50,000.

Furthermore, from January 2025, Carer’s Allowance became a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to the applicant meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the means test.

Announcing the commencement of the Fuel Allowance Season, Minister Calleary said:

“I am delighted to announce that Fuel Allowance payments will commence this week to 410,000 households across the State.

The Fuel Allowance plays a vital role in supporting hundreds of thousands of families with their heating costs over the winter months.

This is such a valuable support for so many households. We have expanded the eligibility conditions this year to allow more households to qualify and I encourage people to check their eligibility for this important payment.”

Notes:

• The Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare recipients with their winter heating costs.
• The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two instalment payments; and is paid over the winter season (28 weeks from late September to April in the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season).
• You can qualify for Fuel Allowance if you are aged 66 or over, or getting certain long-term social welfare payments. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household.
• You do not need to reapply for Fuel Allowance each year if your circumstances have not changed and you continue to get the same social welfare payment.
• The quickest and easiest way to apply for Fuel Allowance is online via www.MyWelfare.ie.
• Further information on the Fuel Allowance is available on the Department’s website at www.Gov.ie/fuelallowance.

County Breakdown of Fuel Allowance Recipients: