The Fuel Allowance scheme is open for applications. The scheme is designed to assist pensioners and low income households in meeting the cost of heating their homes during the winter season.
I am encouraging older people and people in receipt of social welfare in Galway and Mayo to apply for the allowance. The application forms can be completed in local Post Offices. They are also available online at http://www.welfare.ie/en/Pages/Fuel-Allowance.aspx
The Fuel Allowance is means tested and is paid to the customer with their social welfare payment at a rate of €22.50 per week.
People on an employment scheme or in receipt of a Back to Education Allowance would also be entitled to the Fuel Allowance if they continue to satisfy the conditions – including the means test.
In order to qualify for the Fuel Allowance the claimant:
- Must be resident in the State,
- Must be in receipt of certain qualifying payments
- Must live alone or only with:
- a qualified spouse/ civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren);
- a person in receipt of a qualifying payment who would be entitled to the allowance in their own right;
- a person who is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit in respect of providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant or their qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren);
- a person receiving short term Jobseeker’s Allowance or the Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (less than 391 days).
I encourage people to apply as soon as possible so that the application can be processed and payment can begin in advance of the winter weather.