The Household Benefits Package comprises a choice of either Electricity or Gas Allowance, and Free Television Licence. These allowances provide a contribution towards electricity or gas, as well the cost of the annual Television Licence. Only one household package is paid per household. Household Benefits Package may be funded from either Vote 37 or the Social Insurance Fund, depending on the origin of the primary scheme entitlement of the recipient (e.g. State Pension (Non-Contributory) from the Vote or State Pension (Contributory) from the Fund).
The allocation for the Household Benefits scheme in 2020 is €254,462 as published in the 2020 Budget Estimates on Budget Day, details of which are in the following table.
|
Vote 37
|
Social Insurance Fund
|
Total
|
|
€000
|
€000
|
€000
|
Electricity Allowance
|
51,453
|
121,520
|
172,973
|
Gas Allowance
|
4,877
|
16,442
|
21,319
|
Free Television License
|
15,149
|
45,021
|
60,170
|
Total
|
71,479
|
182,983
|
254,462
|