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Household Benefits Package

From: Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection

What the Household Benefits Package is

The Household Benefits Package is a set of allowances which help you with the costs of running your household. It includes allowances towards covering electricity or gas costs as well as television licence.

The package is available to everyone aged over 70 and to people under 70 in certain circumstances.

How to qualify

You must:

  • be legally living in the State on a permanent basis (full-time, all year round)
  • prove your identity with a Public Services Card (PSC) when asked to do so

You must show that you are the registered consumer at the address for which you are applying for the Household Benefits Package, for example, by providing a utility bill.

If you are renting your home, your landlord must provide written confirmation that you are a tenant, including the MPRN (Meter point reference number) or GPRN (Gas point reference number) of the address you are living at. They must also confirm that you are paying your own energy bills.

Carers and Disabled People

The qualifying conditions for the Household Benefits Package are different depending on what age you are and the payment you are receiving from the government.

  • you must be legally resident and permanently living in the State
  • only one person in each household can claim this benefit
  • if you are applying for an Electricity or Natural Gas Allowance then you must be the registered customer of the gas or electricity company

You can also qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you meet one of the following conditions:

  • you are over 70 years of age
  • you are getting Carer's Allowance and providing full- time care and living with the person you are caring for
  • you are between 66 and 70 and are getting one of the following:

State Pension (Contributory)

State Pension (Non-contributory)

Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension

  • an ordinary Garda Widow’s Pension from the Department of Justice and Equality
  • an equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
  • you are under 66 and are getting one of the following:

Disability Allowance

Invalidity Pension

Blind Pension

  • an equivalent Social Security Pension/Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement
  • you are caring for a person who is getting Constant Attendance Allowance

Retired and Older People

You can qualify for the Household Benefits Package if you meet one of the following conditions:

1. You are over 70 years of age

2. You are getting Carer's Allowance. You must be providing full-time care and living with the person you are caring for

3. You are between 66 and 70 and are getting:

  • State Pension (Contributory)
  • State Pension (Non-contributory)
  • Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension
  • Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance

and

  • an ordinary Garda Widow's Pension from the Department of Justice and Equality

or

  • an equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement

4. You are under 66 and are getting:

  • Disability Allowance
  • Invalidity Pension
  • Blind Pension
  • Incapacity Supplement or Workmen's Compensation with Disablement Pension (for at least 12 months)

or

  • an equivalent Social Security Pension or Benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations, or from a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement

5. You are caring for a person who is getting Constant Attendance Allowance

6. You are aged between 66 and 70 and satisfy a means test

Rate of payment

    Allowance Rate
    Electricity or Gas €35 monthly
    TV Licence Once you qualify for the Household Benefits Package you qualify for a free Television Licence from its next renewal date. You apply for this on your Household Benefits package form

Apply

Return the application form below with the relevant supporting documents to:

Household Benefits Package Section

Phone:
+353719157100
Email:
householdbenefits@welfare.ie
Address:
Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, College Road, Sligo, F91 T384

Application Form: Household Benefits Package (HB1)

Application form for Household Benefits Package HB1

Download

Operational Guidelines

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