Robert Troy
Question:425. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason persons (details supplied) do not qualify for fuel allowance. [10150/23]
View answerTuesday, 28 February 2023
Questions (425)
Written answers
The 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. One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test.
From January 2023, the threshold for the fuel allowance means test for those aged over 70 is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple without the need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. In this case the threshold is €1,000 per week.
Following a means assessment, it was determined that the means are €1,036.51 which exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. Where applicants exceed the permissible income limit, marginally or otherwise, there is no scope for discretion. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 03 January 2023.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
Question No. 426 answered with Question No. 384.
Question No. 427 answered with Question No. 401.