Changes to Ireland's fuel allowance will come into effect from midnight tonight, with households across Ireland in for an increase of €5 on their weekly payments.
The boost in the weekly sum comes alongside the increase in Ireland's Carbon Tax which will see some homes struggle to meet the growing cost of heating this winter.
From October 13, each qualifying household will be given €33 a week - as opposed to €28 - over a 28-week period to help with rising fuel and energy .
The means-tested payment will be given to around 370,000 eligible households, however, anyone who was not receiving the fuel allowance last year should submit their application “immediately” in order to be considered for this year’s payment.
Those who were paid the fuel allowance last year will automatically be paid again this year as long they remain entitled.
You can only qualify for the support if you and other members of your household are unable to provide for your heating needs from your own resources. You must live alone, or with:
- A dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and/or dependent children
- A person who is getting Carer's Allowance or Carer's Benefit and is caring for you or for your dependent spouse, partner or cohabitant on a full-time basis
- A person getting COVID-19 Pandemic Unemployment Payment (PUP), short-term Jobseeker's Allowance or basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance
- Other people who are getting the qualifying payments and who would also be eligible for a Fuel Allowance in their own right
You may also be eligible for a Fuel Allowance if you are in receipt of any of the following payments:
- Jobseeker's Allowance (if qualified)
- Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (if qualified)
- Farm Assist
- One Parent Family Payment
- Jobseeker’s Allowance Transition
- Blind Pension
- Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
- Disability Allowance
- Invalidity Pension
- State Pension (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
- State Pension Transition (closed to new entrants since 2014)
- Guardian's Payment (Contributory or Non-Contributory)
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner’s Pension (Contributory or Non Contributory)
- Incapacity Supplement under the Disablement Pension Scheme
- Death Benefit Pension (previously known as Type 15) under Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
- Revenue Job Assist
- Social Security Payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement (of which there is an Irish equivalent payment)
