Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 8 February 2023
269. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection when the fuel allowance will be awarded to a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [5936/23]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April to assist households with their energy costs.
Under the current qualifying conditions for fuel allowance a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including the household composition criteria. Fuel allowance is not payable if an applicant lives with any person, including a family member, that is not covered by the household composition criteria outlined below.
- a person aged 70 years or over,
- a dependent adult or dependent child,
- a person in receipt of a qualifying payment but is not receiving Fuel Allowance,
- a person who is in receipt of carer’s allowance or carer’s benefit and is caring for the fuel allowance applicant or dependent adult or dependent child, or
- a person receiving short-term jobseeker's allowance (JA) or basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA)
As the person concerned is residing with a person who does not meet the criteria outlined above, they are not entitled to the allowance. If their household circumstances change in the future, it is open to them to re-apply for the Fuel allowance.
If the person concerned has significant outgoings and exceptional heating needs due to ill health or infirmity, they can apply for a heating supplement, a support paid under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme. Each claim is assessed taking into account the individual circumstances of the case.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
