Fuel allowance payments set to begin this week to 410,000 Irish households

"The means-assessed payment will be paid for 28 weeks to 410,000 households across the state. It is made at the weekly rate of €33 or, if preferred, by way of two instalment payments of €462 each. The scheme was recently expanded to allow more households to qualify this year. From January 2025, the over 70s enhanced qualifying conditions were extended to people aged 66 and over."

"These enhanced conditions include a person aged over 66 years no longer has to be in receipt of a social protection payment to apply for Fuel Allowance. Meanwhile, a single person aged 66 or over can have means of €524 per week while a couple can have means of €1,048 per week. In addition, the amount of capital that is disregarded was increased from €20,000 to €50,000. Furthermore, from January 2025, Carer's Allowance became a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance, subject to the applicant meeting all criteria of the Fuel Allowance scheme, including satisfying the means test."

"I am delighted to announce that Fuel Allowance payments will commence this week to 410,000 households across the state," he said. "The Fuel Allowance plays a vital role in supporting hundreds of thousands of families with their heating costs over the winter months. "This is such a valuable support for so many households. "We have expanded the eligibility conditions this year to allow more households to qualify and I encourage people to check their eligibility for this important payment."

Fuel Allowance payments will be made for 28 weeks to 410,000 households at €33 per week or two instalments of €462. Eligibility was expanded so that from January 2025 people aged 66 and over qualify under enhanced conditions. People over 66 no longer must receive a social protection payment to apply. Means thresholds are €524 per week for a single person and €1,048 per week for a couple. The capital disregard rose from €20,000 to €50,000. Carer's Allowance became a qualifying payment, subject to meeting all Fuel Allowance criteria and the means test. The minister urged people to check eligibility.

Read at Irish Independent