A number of changes to the Fuel Allowance scheme in Ireland have come into effect this month, meaning thousands more people are eligible.
The Department for Social Protection announced a widening of the eligibility criteria amid the current cost of living crisis, as many people struggle to heat their homes this winter.
Therefore, from January 2023, the following changes will be made to how income is assessed in the means test for Fuel Allowance:
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- Disablement Benefit and half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance.
- People aged 70 and over do not need to be getting a qualifying social welfare payment. Capital (savings and investments) not taken into account in the means test will increase from €20,000 to €50,000. They can have a weekly means (which includes their State Pension) up to €500 per week for a single person and €1,000 per week for a couple. In the case of a couple, only the person applying for the allowance needs to be aged 70 or over.
- For people aged under 70, the weekly allowable means above the applicable State Pension (Contributory) rate will increase from €120 to €200.
Meanwhile, a host of Budget 2023 schemes are also coming into force in January with social welfare recipients in for hikes.
Households will receive two further energy credits of €200 each in the New Year to help heat their homes over winter - one in January and the second in March.
The minimum wage will rise by 80c to €11.30 per hour.
All social welfare recipients will see an increase of €12 per week, in January, which amounts to €624 across the year.
There will also be increases for qualified adults and people on reduced rates of payment in January. Those aged 25 and under who are getting a reduced rate of Jobseeker's Allowance will also get the full €12 increase.
The weekly rate for a qualified child will increase by €2 bringing the new amount to €42 a week for children under 12 years and €50 a week for children aged 12 years and over.
Disablement Benefit and half-rate Carer’s Allowance will be disregarded in the means test for Fuel Allowance.
The income limits for the Working Family Payment will increase by €40 across all family sizes in the New Year.
The amount that those getting the Disability Allowance and Blind Pension can earn without their payment being affected will rise from €140 to €165 in January.
The Domiciliary Care Allowance (DCA) will rise by €20.50 from €309.50 to €330 in the New Year. DCA will also be available for babies who remain in an acute hospital after birth for a period of 6 months.
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