Minister Humphreys announces start of New Fuel Season

Fuel Allowance to be paid for 28 weeks to estimated 352,000 households

Over €261 million in budget with two options for payment

Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has announced the start of the National Fuel Scheme for the 2020 / 2021 season.

The Fuel Allowance, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks.

It is paid at a weekly rate of €24.50 or, if the recipient prefers, by way of two lump sum payments of €343 each. One Fuel Allowance is paid per household.

The estimated expenditure for this non-statutory scheme is €261.35 million with over 352,000 households expected to benefit from the Fuel Allowance payment this season.

Minister Humphreys commented:

The Fuel Allowance will be an added support for many households throughout the State as we approach our winter season. It is a financial aid for people living in low-income households to help towards the cost of heating oil, electricity, gas or solid fuel.

As an alternative to a weekly payment, householders also have the option of receiving their Fuel Allowance in two lump sum payments, the value of each being €343. Householders who have already chosen this option will receive their first lump sum along with their primary social welfare payment on their appropriate payment day starting this week. The second lump sum payment will issue during the second week of January 2021.

The Fuel Allowance scheme provides a support for householders on long-term social welfare payments to cover additional heating expenses over the winter months. Those who qualified for the Fuel Allowance payment last year will automatically receive the payment again this year, if they continue to fulfil the eligibility requirements. They do not need to re-apply.

Customers who have not received the payment previously and who wish to apply for the Fuel Allowance should complete an application form which is available to download here or from their local Post Office. Completed forms should be returned to their local Intreo Centre or the office which manages their weekly welfare payment.

Further information

A person who is receiving a Natural Gas or Electricity Allowance under the Department of Social Protection’s Household Benefits Package, and who uses gas or electricity for their heating, may be entitled to the Fuel Allowance.

A person may qualify for Fuel Allowance if they are getting one of the following payments from the Department of Social Protection:

State Pension (Contributory) or State Pension (Non- Contributory),
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) or (Non-Contributory) Pension,
Incapacity Supplement,
Blind Pension,
Invalidity Pension,
Disability Allowance,
Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance,
One-Parent Family Payment,
Guardian's Payment (Contributory and Non-Contributory),
Farm Assist,
Long-term Jobseeker's Allowance,
Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance.

A person may be entitled to the Fuel Allowance if they are getting one of the following payments from the Health Service Executive:

Disabled Person's Rehabilitation Allowance,
Infectious Diseases Maintenance Allowance,
a social security payment from another country,
a special Department of Defence Allowance,

If they are taking part in an employment or educational scheme and they are entitled to keep their secondary benefits,

and

they are normally living in the State,
are living alone or only with:
a qualified spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or qualified children (See Note below),
other people getting one of the qualifying payments who would also qualify for Fuel Allowance in their own right,
a person who is providing full-time care and attention if the applicant has a disability or long-term illness,
a person getting short-term Jobseeker’s Allowance, the Pandemic Unemployment Payment or Basis Supplementary Welfare Allowance,

and

the applicant and other members of their household are unable to pay for the heating needs from their own resources. To meet this condition, the household must satisfy a means test.

Note: A qualified child is under age 18 or aged 18 to 22 if in full-time education. If a child turns 18 while in full-time education and the applicant for the Fuel Allowance is getting Jobseeker’s Allowance (for less than 15 months), Jobseeker’s Benefit, Illness Benefit or Supplementary Welfare Allowance, they will remain a qualified child only until they finish full-time education or until the following 30 June, whichever is earlier.

Full information is available on the Department of Social Protection Website here .

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