Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 July 2022
384. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Social Protection if her Department has any discretion in relation to income threshold qualification limits for eligibility for the fuel allowance; if the case of a person (details supplied) will be reconsidered for access to the scheme given the circumstances of their refusal, their age and circumstances; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35265/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraIn order to be eligible for fuel allowance, a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfy a household means test and live alone or only with certain other qualified people. Under the means test, an applicant and members of his/her household may have a combined assessable income of up to €120 a week above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory, currently €253.30 (€263.30 for persons aged 80 years and over), and qualify for fuel allowance.
On the 17th June 2022 it was decided that the person concerned no longer qualified for fuel allowance as her weekly means of €416.78 were in excess of the weekly income threshold of 373.30. The person was notified in writing of this decision and advised if there were any changes in their circumstances to submit a new application. Where a persons' means exceed the permissible income limit, there is no scope for discretion.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, an Additional Needs Payment 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 by the local Community Welfare Service staff in my Department.
I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
