Question:
298 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs if a person (details supplied) in Dublin 12 is entitled to a free fuel allowance, living alone allowance or mortgage interest relief. [31838/01]
Written Answers. - Social Welfare Benefits.
The aim of the national fuel scheme is to assist householders who are on long-term social welfare or health board payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. A payment of £5, 6.35, per week is normally paid to eligible households. However, an additional £3, 3.81, per week is paid in smokeless zones, bringing the total amount in those areas to £8, 10.16, per week. In the case of a relatively small number of people living in smokeless zones, the £3, 3.81, per week smokeless fuel supplement only is payable.
In order to be eligible for assistance under the national fuel scheme, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare or health board payment, satisfy a means test, live alone or with qualified dependants or a person who qualifies for a fuel allowance in their own right. People on short-term payments, such as disability benefit, do not qualify for the standard fuel allowance of £5, 6.35, per week. However, people who have been on disability benefit for three months or more may qualify for a £3, 3.81, per week smokeless fuel allowance, subject to the other standard conditions for receipt of fuel allowances. The person concerned is in this category and is paid the smokeless fuel allowance.
The living alone allowance is a weekly payment for people receiving certain social welfare payments and who are aged 66 or over and who live alone. The individual in question is not aged 66 and, therefore, does not qualify for the allowance.
Under the terms of the supplementary welfare allowance, SWA, scheme payment of a weekly or monthly supplement may be made in respect of rent or mortgage interest to any person in the State whose means are insufficient to meet their needs.
Entitlement to a mortgage interest supplement is determined by the health boards and supplements are normally calculated to ensure that the person has an income equal to the rate of SWA appropriate to the family circumstances, less £6, 7.62. This £6, 7.62, represents the minimum contribution which applicants are required to pay from their own resources.
The scheme operates on the basis that the person shall be entitled to a supplement towards the interest portion of the mortgage repayments only. The principal is not, and never was, taken into account in the calculation of the mortgage interest supplement because it is not considered appropriate that the Exchequer should repay part of the initial loan and thereby provide assistance towards the accumulation of a capital asset on the part of the individual concerned.
If the individual in question feels that he may have an entitlement to a mortgage interest supplement he should make an application by con tacting the community welfare officer at his local health centre.
Question No. 299 answered with Question No. 51.
Question No. 300 answered with Question No. 29.