The aim of the national fuel allowance scheme is to assist householders who are in receipt of long-term social welfare or
health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5 a week – £8 in smokeless zones – is made to eligible households during the 26 week period from mid-October to mid-April.
One of the conditions for receipt of a fuel allowance is that a contributory pensioner and members of the household must not have a combined income of more than £30 per week, in addition to the maximum rate of contributory pension. The pensioner in question has an occupational pension in excess of this amount and so does not qualify for the allowance.