Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2021
149. Deputy Michael McNamara asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Clare has been refused an application for fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [46916/21]
View answerFuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their winter heating needs.
The main eligibility conditions for receipt of fuel allowance are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a means test and live alone or with other qualifying persons. The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). An individual can have weekly income of €100.00 above the maximum rate for State pension (contributory) and still be eligible for fuel allowance.
The person concerned applied for this allowance on 15 October 2019. He is in receipt of an occupational pension in addition to his State pension entitlements. The amount of the occupational pension exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes.
The person’s application for fuel allowance was disallowed and he was notified in writing of this decision on 7 November 2019.
If the person’s circumstances change, it is open to him to reapply for fuel allowance.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
