Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2016
88. Deputy John Brady asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person receiving a carer's allowance is not entitled to keep their own fuel allowance payment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30016/16]
View answerA Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a person’s home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. The 2016/17 Fuel season commenced on 3 October 2016.
Only one Fuel Allowance is paid to a household.
Fuel Allowance is not payable with Carer’s Allowance (CA) alone. However, if the carer is getting half-rate CA along with another long-term social welfare payment, they may have an entitlement to the allowance.
The person concerned should apply to the office that administers their long-term social welfare payment.
If the person being cared for is in receipt of a long-term social welfare payment such as disability allowance, invalidity pension or a state pension, they may qualify for Fuel Allowance in their own right.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
