Paul McAuliffe
Question:186. Deputy Paul McAuliffe asked the Minister for Social Protection if a review of the entitlements of a person (details supplied) could be reviewed. [19952/24]
View answerThursday, 2 May 2024
Questions (186)
Written answers
The fuel allowance is subject to a household composition requirement where everyone who resides in the house is aged 70 or over or, if under the age of 70, in receipt of a qualifying payment from this Department, or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement, or Revenue Job Assist. The household composition criteria do not apply:
• for applicants who are renting a room under prescribed conditions within the property for which the rental income is disregarded. This allows for a current limit of up to €269.23 per week in respect of income from renting a room in their own home to be disregarded.
• where a person has been provided with accommodation in the applicant’s own home, for whom the applicant is receiving payments under the accommodation recognition payment scheme.
The living alone increase is available to those who live alone or mainly alone. However, where a person is renting a room or self-contained living area or flat accommodation in their home or allows another person to reside in their home rent free and would otherwise live alone, the claimant may be considered to have satisfied the conditions for the Increase for Living Alone.
Entitlement to the Fuel Allowance for the person concerned was reviewed in January 2024. As the person concerned was residing with a friend who was not in receipt of a qualifying payment and did not meet the household criteria, they were no longer entitled to the Fuel Allowance with effect from 28 March 2024. Entitlement to the living alone increase also ceased with effect from 18 April 2024.
I have arranged for a review of the fuel allowance and the increase for living alone. On completion of the review, the person concerned will be notified of the outcome.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.