Minister Humphreys announces new expanded Fuel Allowance scheme is now open for applications
- Published on: 5 December 2022
- Last updated on: 12 December 2022
- applications invited under new Means Test for Over 70s
- over 80,000 new households set to qualify for Fuel Allowance
- applications open today with measures taking effect from 2 January
- apply online at MyWelfare.ie
The Minister for Social Protection Heather Humphreys has today announced the opening of a new online application for the Fuel Allowance scheme.
The new system will support the largest ever expansion of the Fuel Allowance Scheme which is expected to see over 80,000 additional households qualify for a payment for the first time.
As part of this expansion, a new Over 70s Means Test for Fuel Allowance is being introduced. Under this:
- a single person over 70 can have income of €500 per week and a couple can have income of €1,000 per week
- people over 70 will no longer need to be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment to be eligible for Fuel Allowance
- in the case of a couple where one person is over 70 and one is under 70, they will be assessed under the Over 70s Means Test criteria
- in addition, Minister Humphreys is also more than doubling the amount of savings that are disregarded in the means assessment for the Fuel Allowance payment for people aged over 70
- under this, the first €50,000 in savings and investments will now be completely disregarded in the means test
The new Capital/Savings Disregard for Over 70s Fuel Allowance is as follows.
| Capital | Weekly means assessed |
| First €50,000 | Nil |
| Next €10,000 | €1 per €1,000 |
| Next €10,000 | €2 per €1,000 |
| Balance (any capital over €70,000) | €4 per €1,000 |
Announcing the new scheme for Over 70s, Minister Humphreys said:
“As Minister, the one thing I do not want to see is any old person afraid to turn on their heating.
“Our senior citizens have worked hard all their lives; they have put in their shift and I want to make sure they can live in comfort.
“That’s why I am introducing this new Over 70s Fuel Allowance scheme, which will ensure tens of thousands more older people will now qualify for the payment.
“My department has developed a new user-friendly online application that will be open for applications from today. I strongly encourage those who think they may now be eligible for the payment to apply online via MyWelfare.ie.
“Applying online is the quickest and easiest way to apply. However, if you cannot apply online an application form is available on www.gov.ie/fuelallowance or by contacting 081 820 0400. A shorter version of the form will be available for over 70s in the next two weeks.”
The Minister also today announced the expansion of the standard Under 70s Fuel Allowance Scheme:
From 2 January 2023:
- the weekly means threshold for those aged under 70 will be increased by €80 per week, from €120 to €200 above the appropriate weekly rate of State Pension Contributory
- payments from Disablement Benefit and Half Rate Carers payments will no longer be included in the means assessment for Fuel Allowance for applicants who are both under and over 70 years
The easiest and quickest way to apply for Fuel Allowance is via the new Online Application System at MyWelfare.ie. The new system is available for applications from today. All changes take effect from 2 January 2023, but you can apply now in advance.
The department is expecting significant demand under the new Fuel Allowance measures and those who qualify will have their payments backdated, as appropriate, to 2 January 2023.
Notes
Fuel Allowance
Fuel Allowance is a means tested payment to assist with winter heating costs.
The payment is made at the weekly rate of €33 or if preferred, by way of two lump sum payments.
Currently, over 370,000 households receive the Fuel Allowance payment.
Only one fuel allowance is payable per household.
Existing household composition conditions for Fuel Allowance continue to apply.
Those who are qualified do not need to re-apply for the payment.
Recipients of Long-term Jobseeker's Allowance (12 months), Farm Assist and One-Parent Family Payment or Jobseeker's Transitional Payments should apply to their local Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office.
Recipient of Long-term Supplementary Welfare Allowance (12 months) should contact the department representative at their local Intreo Centre.
Full information on the Fuel Allowance is available on the department's website.
Applications may be made online at MyWelfare.ie