Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2016
82. Deputy Noel Coonan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection when an application under the fuel allowance scheme by a person (details supplied) in County Tipperary will be finalised; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [1771/16]
View answerA fuel allowance (FA) is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months. In summary, it is paid to people who are in receipt of certain qualifying social welfare payments and who live alone or only with a person who is caring for them or a dependant; only with dependent spouses/partners/children or only with a person who is in receipt of a qualifying payment or a combination of these categories. In addition, the persons in the household must be unable to provide for their heating needs from their own resources. Full details of the qualifying social welfare payments are available on the Department’s website www.welfare.ie.
Carer’s allowance is not a qualifying payment for FA. However disability allowance, which is a qualifying payment, recently has been awarded to the care recipient in the household in question.
An application form for fuel allowance will issue to the relevant person and a decision with regard to their entitlement to the allowance will be made on the return of the completed form.
