The National Fuel Scheme (fuel allowance) applies to persons in receipt of long term Social Welfare payments. The allowance is subject to a household means test and is paid only to those who live alone or with certain exempted people such as a qualified spouse, civil partner, cohabitant or qualified child(ren); other people who are getting one of the qualifying DSP payments and who would also qualify for fuel allowance in their own right; a person who is providing the applicant with full-time care and attention (if the applicant is a person with a disability or a long-term illness) and/or a person getting short-term jobseeker's allowance.
Full details of the qualifying criteria for the scheme are available on the Department's website www.welfare.ie.
A decision on an individual's entitlement to fuel allowance can be made upon receipt of a completed application. An application form for fuel allowance has been sent to the person in question and, should she wish to apply, she should fully complete and return the form to the Department as soon as possible. She will be notified of the outcome of the application as soon as possible thereafter.