Fuel Allowance customers who wish to receive their payment in two lump sums

As announced as part of last year’s Budget, Fuel Allowance customers can now receive their payments in two lump sums, if they so choose. The two lump sum payments issue in October and in January.

Fuel Allowance customers who wish to change their payment method to lump sum payments must apply by sending a completed form (called FA CPF 1) to the Department by Friday, 21st September.

More information on Fuel Allowance and all application forms are available here..

Customers who received their payment in lump sums last year do not need to reapply if they wish to continue receiving the lump sum payments.

Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty, T.D., said:

“I was pleased that we could introduce this new payment method last year, as it followed a number of recommendations from representative groups who attend the Pre-Budget Forum each year. One benefit is that it allows customers to bulk-buy fuel which can yield substantial savings. The high take-up last year shows that it is a welcome measure and the choice of the two different payment methods allows for flexibility for our customers. Any Fuel Allowance customers who would like to switch their payment method should apply before Friday, 21st September.”

Fuel Allowance is a means-tested payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs in full.

Last year, over 53,000 customers availed of the lump sum option from a total of approximately 365,000 Fuel Allowance customers.

The Fuel Allowance season runs between October and April. The weekly payment is €22.50 and amounts to €607.50 per season. Customers opting to receive the lump sums will receive €315 in the week beginning 1st October 2018 and €292.50 during the second week of January 2019.

Also announced in last year’s Budget was an extension of one week to the season, from 26 to 27 weeks.

Note for Editors

A study carried out by the Department of Social Protection in 2016 showed that the difference in price for a customer buying between 20 and 25 litres of kerosene was, on average, 11% per litre more expensive than for a customer who bought greater quantities, e.g. 400 litres, while people who were in a position to buy multiple bags of coal could in some instances get them for as much €3 per bag cheaper.

Expenditure on the Fuel Allowance for 2016/2017 is estimated at €229 million, benefiting approximately 376,000 households.

A person may qualify for a Fuel Allowance if they are receiving one of the following payments directly from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection:

• State Pension (Contributory/Non Contributory)
• Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension (Contributory/Non Contributory)
• Incapacity Supplement under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme
• Blind Pension
• Invalidity Pension
• Disability Allowance
• Deserted Wife's Benefit or Allowance
• One-Parent Family Payment
• Guardian's Payment (Contributory/ Non Contributory)
• Farm Assist
• Pre-Retirement Allowance
• Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance over 15 months
• Jobseeker's Allowance over 15 months
• Jobseeker's Allowance Transition
• Death Benefit Pension under the Occupational Injuries Benefit Scheme
• Social Security Pension from a country covered by EU Regulations or a country with whom Ireland has a bilateral social security agreement (provided there is an equivalent Irish payment)
• Back to Work Enterprise Allowance

As the Rural Social Scheme, Tus, Gateway and CE customers are not paid directly by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Fuel Allowance lump sum option will not apply to them.

ENDS