Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 22 February 2022
534. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Social Protection the process to date in the determination of an application for the fuel allowance in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [9519/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33.00 per week for 28 weeks ( a total of €924 each year) from October to April, The allowance represents a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. It is not intended to meet those costs in full. One allowance is paid per household.
Qualifying payments for Fuel Allowance are those payments that are considered long term payments and an applicant must also satisfy a means tests.
The person concerned is in receipt of Illness Benefit. Illness Benefit is a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment due to illness, and accordingly is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance.
People who are permanently incapable of work may be eligible for the non-means tested Invalidity Pension, subject to satisfying the relevant social insurance and medical criteria. Those who are substantially restricted in undertaking suitable employment arising from a medical condition may be eligible for the means-tested Disability Allowance, subject to meeting the relevant medical criteria. Recipients of both of these payments, subject to satisfying all qualifying conditions, may be eligible for Fuel Allowance.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost, which customers are unable to meet out of their resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such cases are made on a case-by case basis.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
