Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
1038. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the number of additional persons who would qualify for the household benefits package if the €100 weekly means threshold of the means test was increased by €20, €50 or €100; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20237/22]
View answerThe Household Benefits package (HHB) comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and the free television licence. The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over who are in receipt of a social welfare type payment or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under the age of 66, who are in receipt of certain welfare type payments. My Department will spend approximately €273 million this year on HHB.
The allowable means for HHB purposes is €120 above the relevant State Pension Contributory rate. Applicants aged 70 or over do not have to satisfy a means test or be in receipt of a qualifying payment.
It is not possible for my Department to provide an accurate projection of the potential cost of the measures outlined by the Deputy. My Department does not maintain records of the amount by which unsuccessful HHB applicants are over the income threshold. It is also worth noting that many people above the existing income threshold do not make an application.
Any decision to enhance the HHB package would have budgetary consequences and would have to be considered in the context of overall budget negotiations.
In Budget 2020, it was announced that for HHB applicants aged under 70 who are on a qualifying payment, another adult (except for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of applicant) living in the household will no longer be a disqualifying condition for the purposes of the HHB Package. Therefore, the status and income of the members of a household (except for the spouse, civil partner or cohabitant of applicant) does not prevent a HHB applicant from receiving the package.
My Department provides discretionary exceptional needs payments, where appropriate, to people who face difficulties in meeting fuel bills. These payments are not ring-fenced or budget limited as they would be if they were drawn from an earmarked fund, but rather are demand led.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
