The government of Ireland has many programs to help people who need extra support. One of these is the Fuel Allowance. This is money given to people to help them pay for heating their homes when it’s cold in the winter. It is given to about 404,000 families in Ireland over 28 weeks.
In 2023, Minister Humphreys got money to make the Fuel Allowance program bigger. She also started a new way to check if people over 70 can get the allowance. This guide will tell you more about the Ireland Fuel Allowance for 2024.
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Fuel Allowance 2024 in Ireland
The Fuel Allowance is money given to help pay for heating your home in the winter. Only one person in a home can get it. The time when people get the Fuel Allowance usually starts in late September and ends in early April. The last time people started getting the Fuel Allowance was Monday, September 25, 2023. People will get payments for 28 weeks until April 5, 2024.
Right now, the Fuel Allowance is €33 each week. You can choose to receive it weekly or in two big payments. The first big payment was made in September 2023, and the second in January 2024.
Many families depend on the Fuel Allowance to help pay for heating their homes in the winter.
Allowance Budget
Minister Humphreys received the money in the 2023 budget to expand the Fuel Allowance program and establish a new system for checking whether people over 70 can receive it.
The Winter Fuel Allowance typically costs the government around €240 million every year and is received by about 365,000 households. Michael McGrath and Paschal Donohoe have devised a €14 billion budget plan for the upcoming year. Individuals eligible for the fuel allowance will see their payment increase to €300.
Ireland Fuel Allowance Payment Dates
People start getting their weekly Fuel Allowance Payments in the last week of September 2023. They get it on the same day as their regular weekly pension or benefit unless they have chosen to get one big payment.
The final weekly payment for fuel allowance will be issued during the second week of April 2024. Those who request the fuel allowance have the option to receive two larger payments instead of receiving weekly instalments.
The first big payment of €462 should have been given in the last week of September 2023. The second big payment of €462 (14 weeks at €33 per week) will be given in the first week of January 2024.
Ireland Fuel Allowance Eligibility
In Ireland, individuals living alone, with a spouse, or with dependent children may be eligible for a Fuel Allowance. However, they must meet specific income criteria and receive a qualifying payment unless they are 70 years of age or older. If heating costs are included in their rent, they are not eligible for the Fuel Allowance.
The Department of Social Protection (DSP) assesses the individual’s total income when conducting the means test. To pass this test, the individual’s weekly income before taxes must be below a certain threshold. Generally, if they receive a qualifying social assistance payment (a means-tested payment), they have met the means test for the fuel allowance.
Individuals aged 70 or older are not required to receive a qualifying payment to qualify for the Fuel Allowance. Social welfare payments are either means-tested or based on the individual’s PRSI contributions for social insurance.
Ireland Fuel Allowance Amount
The Fuel Allowance is €33 per week right now. The total Fuel Allowance over the 28 weeks in 2023–2024 is €924. Your fuel allowance can be paid every week or in two equal payments. Your weekly paycheck includes the fuel allowance if you get social welfare benefits.
If you don’t get social welfare benefits, you can get your Fuel Allowance from your local post office or put it directly into your bank account.
If you apply for the Fuel Allowance after the season has started, you won’t get any back payments. As long as nothing changes in your life and you keep getting your social assistance payment, you don’t have to apply for the Fuel Allowance every year.
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