Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 July 2022
1245. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Minister for Social Protection if the household benefits package will be backdated in excess of six months for a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40663/22]
View answerThe Household Benefits package comprises the electricity or gas allowance, and a 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.
The majority of those who qualify for Household Benefits do so as a result of being awarded a primary qualifying payment. Notification of possible entitlement to the Household Budgeting Package is included in the letter of award of the qualifying primary payment sent to the customer. it is up to the customer to then make their application through completion of an application form [available to download from gov.ie or at any post office] or apply online at www.MyWelfare.ie.
According to the records of the Department the person concerned was notified of their possible entitlement to HHB from the date of award of their State Pension Contributory, in a letter dated 8th Feb 2020.
An application for Household Benefits was received from the person concerned on 31st May 2022. His claim was awarded and he was notified by letter of 3rd of June 2022. His Household Benefits package was backdated to six months prior to that date.
Household Benefits applications can be backdated for up to 6 months where an entitlement existed, and further where there are extenuating circumstances. It is open to the customers to make an application for further backdating of their household benefit entitlement; each case is considered on its own merits. Lack of knowledge, in and of itself, is not a circumstance where backdating of Household Benefits entitlement beyond 6 months is considered as information on social welfare schemes is widely available to the public including through the Citizen Information Service. In addition, the Department is satisfied that the person concerned was notified about Household Benefits in February 2020.
I hope this clarifies the position.
