Extra week’s Fuel Allowance to be paid this week to over 368,000 recipients

An extra week of Fuel Allowance of €22.50 will be paid to over 368,000 households this week (commencing Monday, 12th March), in respect of the week of severe weather from Monday 26th February to Friday 2nd March. The extra payment will be paid automatically to all customers who currently receive the Fuel Allowance payment, including pensioners, lone parents, and those on disability and jobseekers payments.

Customers will receive their additional fuel payment via their usual payment method - at the Post Office or via electronic funds transfer into their bank or building society account. The payment will also be paid automatically to the 54,000 customers who have chosen to receive their Fuel Allowance in two lump sum payments – this is the first fuel season in which this lump sum option has been made available.

All eligible customers will receive the extra week's Fuel Allowance alongside their usual Social Welfare payment.

The Minister for Employment Affairs & Social Protection, Regina Doherty, T.D. announced that she was making the additional week's payment on Wednesday 28th February. The payment was processed last week and will be paid in full this week to all eligible customers.

Minister Doherty said:

"I am delighted to have secured Government approval to invest €8.3m towards an additional week's Fuel Allowance payment in respect of the recent severe weather event. It is of huge importance that this additional contribution towards fuel costs be made available to those who rely heavily on the State for support and it has doubtless helped to ensure the comfort and warmth of many vulnerable people during this time. That is the primary purpose of our social protection system - to give help and support to those in need.

I would also like to state that our Department's Community Welfare Service was contactable throughout Storm Emma, even when all national offices were closed. I am very proud of my Department's response to the emergency situation.

I want to remind customers that the Department also offers assistance under the ENP (Exceptional Needs Payment) and UNP (Urgent Needs Payment) schemes which are available year round to assist households meet expenditure which a person could not reasonably meet out of their weekly income."

The Exceptional Needs Payments (SWA) is subject to a means assessment and payments are made at the discretion of the officers administering the scheme, considering all the circumstances.

An Urgent Needs Payments (SWA) can be made to a person who may not normally qualify for social welfare support but who have an urgent need which they cannot meet from their own resources at this time.

Any person who requires support under these schemes should contact the Department's Community Welfare Service at their local Intreo Centre who may be able to offer assistance. The Department's officials will examine applications on a case by case basis, taking into account the exceptional weather conditions. A list of DEASP office contact numbers is available [here.]

The total cost of the extra week's Fuel Allowance payment being paid this week amounts to €8.3 million.

Further information

County by County Breakdown of households receiving Fuel Allowance

ENDS