John Lahart
Question:146. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Social Protection the reason the threshold for fuel allowance for a single person is the same for a couple; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3169/24]
View answerWednesday, 24 January 2024
Questions (146)
Written answers
The Fuel Allowance is a payment of €33 per week for 28 weeks (a total of €924 each year) from late September to April, at an estimated cost of €382 million in 2024. The purpose of this payment is to assist these households with their energy costs. Only one allowance is paid per household.
The criteria for Fuel Allowance are framed in order to direct the limited resources available to my Department in as targeted a manner as possible. To qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, a person must satisfy all the qualifying criteria including a means test and the household composition criteria. The means test ensures that the recipient has a verifiable income need and that resources are targeted to those who need them most.
The means threshold is not the same for single persons and couples. The means threshold for those aged over 70 is €512 for a single person and €1,024 for a couple and is based on gross income. The weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 is €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension (Contributory) which equates to €477.30 means threshold for a single person, €662 for a Couple where the qualified spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is under 66 years and €725.90 for a Couple, where the qualified spouse/civil partner/cohabitant is over 66 years and under 70.
The increased allowable means threshold for people who are married, cohabiting or in a civil partnership acknowledges that the overall cost of living for this cohort is higher than for a single person and the fact that the Department pays an Increase for a Qualified Adult on many of its primary payments is recognition of this.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.