Minister Humphreys launches start of New Fuel Season
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys TD, has today announced the start of the National Fuel Scheme for the 2021/2022 Season.
The Fuel Allowance, which is a means-assessed payment, will be paid for 28 weeks to an estimated 370,000 households across the State.
A budget of €292 million has been set aside for the upcoming season with the Department providing two options of payment.
Recipients are paid weekly rate of €28 or, if they prefer, by way of two lump sum payments of €392 each.
The first weekly payments will issue from this week in addition to recipients’ normal weekly social welfare payments.
In formally launching the 2021/2022 Fuel Season, Minister Humphreys said:
“The Fuel Allowance plays a vital role in assisting tens of thousands of households with their heating costs over the winter months.
“It acts as a financial aid for people living in low income households to help towards the cost of the likes of electricity and heating oil.
“In recognition of its importance to so many families, I increased the weekly rate of payment by €3.50 in my first Budget as Social Protection Minister.
“I am conscious that heating costs are a concern for many and that households have seen their bills increase and return to 2019 levels.
“This will be an important factor for me as Minister as I continue the Budget 2022 negotiations, along with my Government colleagues.”
The Minister added:
“I want to remind householders who were paid the Fuel Allowance last year that they will automatically be paid again this year as long they remain entitled.
“It’s important to state also that there are two options for payment. As an alternative to a weekly payment of €28, householders also have the option of being paid in two lump sums of €392 each.
“Finally, I urge anyone who is newly eligible for the payment to submit an application immediately.”
Customers who wish to apply for Fuel Allowance must complete the Fuel Allowance application form (NFS1) which is available through the Department’s Intreo Centres, Post Offices or on the Department’s website www.gov.ie/dsp and return it to their scheme area. One Fuel Allowance is paid per household.
Customers who received the payment last year do not need to apply again but will instead receive the payment automatically provided they retain an entitlement to the payment.
As well as receiving the payment in weekly instalments, customers can elect to receive Fuel Allowance in two lump sum payments. The first lump sum payment of €392 will issue this week (27th September) and the second will issue the week of 3rd January 2022.
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:
A person may be entitled to the Fuel Allowance if they are getting one of the following payments from the Health Service Executive:
or
If they are taking part in an employment or educational scheme and they are entitled to keep their secondary benefits,
and
and
Full information on the Fuel Allowance is available on the Department of Social Protection's website here.
County | No. of Households * | |
Carlow | 5,843 | |
Cavan | 6,450 | |
Clare | 9,629 | |
Cork | 39,332 | |
Donegal | 18,497 | |
Dublin | 76,468 | |
Galway | 18,886 | |
Kerry | 13,825 | |
Kildare | 11,787 | |
Kilkenny | 6,980 | |
Laois | 5,977 | |
Leitrim | 3,627 | |
Limerick | 16,315 | |
Longford | 4,578 | |
Louth | 11,591 | |
Mayo | 13,918 | |
Meath | 10,761 | |
Monaghan | 5,018 | |
Offaly | 6,752 | |
Roscommon | 5,655 | |
Sligo | 6,217 | |
Tipperary | 16,284 | |
Waterford | 11,893 | |
Westmeath | 7,289 | |
Wexford | 15,829 | |
Wicklow | 9,584 | |
Total | 358,985 |