Irish households who are eligible to receive a €100 fuel allowance lump sum this month can expect the payment within days.
Following a one-off bonus of €125 in mid-March, the government announced they would pay an extra three weeks’ fuel allowance in May - which equates to three of the weekly €33 payments.
It is understood this second payment of €100 is due to be issued to eligible recipients in mid-May.
Almost 400,000 households claiming the social welfare benefit will get the bonus in response to the rising cost of living.
The fuel allowance is an extra social welfare payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of keeping your house warm during the winter months.
Applications remain open for the Fuel Allowance payment for 2022/2023, which will start up again in September.
People who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs are entitled to the allowance.
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The Department of Social Protection's guidelines state that only one fuel allowance is paid to a household and this is usually paid on the same day as people's social welfare payments.
Earlier this month, the planned increase in the carbon tax also went ahead on May 1, and will mean the price of gas in every home will rise by €1.40 per month and home heating oil will increase by €1.50.
Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe explained that this move was vital to help the public with the rise in the cost of living here, “but also in particular, to offset the increase in carbon tax.”
There is some good news however, as the cut on VAT for electricity and gas came into effect earlier this month meaning many Irish households will welcome savings of up to €120.
In line with measures to ease the rising cost of living in Ireland, VAT was temporarily cut from 13.5% to 9% starting from Monday, May 2, until October 31, 2022.
According to experts, these changes will save homeowners up to €50 on gas and €70 on electricity for the year.
It is understood that the government will decide whether or not to continue at 9% from October 31 as part of Budget 2023.
