Seán Sherlock
Ceist:419. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Social Protection the current status of a fuel allowance claim in respect of a person (details supplied) in County Cork. [10901/23]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 7 March 2023
Ceisteanna (419)
Freagraí scríofa
The 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.
From January 2023, the threshold for the fuel allowance means test for those aged over 70 is €500 for a single person and €1,000 for a couple without the need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment. In this case the threshold is €1,000 per week.
Following a means assessment, it was determined that the means are €1406.88 which exceeds the permissible weekly means for fuel allowance qualification purposes. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 28 February 2023.
Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Additional 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.