Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
283. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection if a decision has been made on an application for fuel allowance by a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50780/22]
View answerThe Fuel Allowance is a contribution towards the energy costs of a household. The payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) is paid from late September to April.
One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test. The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). An individual can have a weekly income of €120.00 above the maximum rate for State pension (contributory) plus any increases for age, living alone and dependants and still be eligible for the fuel allowance.
On 25 January 2021, the person concerned applied for fuel allowance. Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €1,393.73 which exceeded the permissible weekly means of €570.80 for the household. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 14 April 2021.
As the Deputy is aware, I announced an increase in the fuel means threshold for those aged under 70 from €120.00 to €200.00 from January 2023. As the household means of €1393.73 exceeds the new permissible means of €703.10 for the household, the person concerned will not qualify for fuel allowance from January 2023. However, if there has been a change in their circumstances, it is open to them to re-apply for the fuel allowance.
Officials in my department are currently managing large volumes of applications for fuel allowance. If the person concerned has recently submitted a new application for fuel allowance, a decision will be made and they will be notified of the outcome.
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 own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.
I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.
