How to apply and qualify for €38 weekly Fuel Allowance as payment extended
How to apply and qualify for €38 weekly Fuel Allowance as payment extended | Dublin LiveNewsDublin NewsSocial welfareNeed to knowThe government has extended the fuel allowance season by four weeks, meaning 470,000 households will receive an additional €152 in support as fuel costs continue to riseThe Fuel Allowance payment has been extended by four weeksThe duration of fuel allowance payments for this year has been formally extended by the government, offering households a vital boost as energy costs remain elevated owing to the conflict in Iran.Ministers voted on Tuesday to prolong the fuel allowance season by four additional weeks, meaning the 470,000 households in receipt of the payment will receive an extra €38 per week, totalling €152.The measures are designed to be temporary, with the government indicating it will adjust its approach as developments in the Middle East unfold.Here's everything you need to understand about fuel allowance, from the application process to eligibility criteria.Fuel Allowance is a payment towards heating costs during the winter period. It is issued to just one person per household. The Fuel Allowance season normally begins in late September each year and finishes in early April. This year, it has been prolonged until May 1, 2026 following recent spikes in energy prices, reports the Irish Mirror.The weekly payment for Fuel Allowance stands at €38. Certain recipients of Fuel Allowance can choose to receive two lump sum payments instead of weekly instalments.To be eligible for Fuel Allowance you must be 66 years or older, be under 66 and in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, live alone or only with specific people and meet a means test. For individuals under the age of 66, qualifying for the fuel allowance necessitates being in receipt of a specific social welfare payment. These include One Parent Family Payment, Carer's Allowance, Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Bereaved Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension, Deserted Wife's Benefit or Deserted Wife's Allowance, Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory), Farm Assist, Jobseeker's Transitional payment (JST) and Working Family Payment.Other qualifying payments encompass Bereaved Partner's (Contributory) Pension, Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme, Invalidity Pension, Guardian's Payment (Contributory), Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme or a pension or benefit from a country covered by EU Regulations. Eligibility is also extended to those who have been receiving Jobseeker's Allowance for over 312 days or Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance for more than 12 months.Applications for the Fuel Allowance can be made either online or in person.Follow dublinlive:At Reach and across our entities we and our partners use information collected through cookies and other identifiers from your device to improve experience on our site, analyse how it is used and to show personalised advertising. You can opt out of the sale or sharing of your data, at any time clicking the "Do Not Sell or Share my Data" button at the bottom of the webpage. Please note that your preferences are browser specific. Use of our website and any of our services represents your acceptance of the use of cookies and consent to the practices described in our Privacy Notice and Terms and Conditions.
