Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2015
226. Deputy Jack Wall asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare who is in receipt of invalidity pension is entitled to all benefits; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36048/15]
View answerThe National Fuel Scheme applies to persons in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments. The allowance is subject to a means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people. Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
The person concerned applied for fuel allowance when applying for invalidity pension. Her application for fuel allowance was disallowed as the weekly household means at that time were assessed as being in excess of the allowable weekly income limit. It is open to the person concerned to reapply for the allowance for the 2015/16 season.
An application for the Household Benefits (HHB) package was also refused on the grounds that she was not living alone or only with certain exempted persons. If there has been any change in circumstances it is open to the person concerned to reapply for HHB.
Claim forms for fuel allowance and HHB have been issued to the person in question. Should she wish to reapply, she should complete and return them to the Department as soon as possible.
