The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment to assist pensioners and other long-term social welfare dependent householders with their winter heating costs. The payment is made over the winter season from September to April at the weekly rate of €33.00 or, if preferred, by way of two lump sum instalments, one in September and one in January. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.
In Budget 2025, a more generous means test was extended to those aged over 66, with a higher means threshold of €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple. Applicants aged over 66 no longer need to be receiving a qualifying social protection payment and the threshold for the capital disregard increased from €20,000 to €50,000. It was projected that 5,200 would benefit from this budget measure in 2025. For those aged under 66, the means threshold is now €200 above the appropriate rate of State Pension Contributory for the household.
The records of the Department indicate that there are 43,922 Fuel Allowances paid to households in County Cork. The Department is not in a position to break down the figures for regions within a specific county.
Fuel Allowance is administered across a wide range of qualifying schemes and across different IT platforms and, as a result, the breakdown of applications by channel and average processing times are not readily available.
My Department has completed all the necessary preparations for the 2025/26 Fuel Allowance season. This will ensure that all current eligible customers will receive their first payment during week beginning 22nd September, whether by weekly payment or by instalment. The payments will issue to the customer’s nominated post office or bank account.
My Department issued a media release and sharing relevant information on social media channels. This is part of an annual information campaign to let people know about the Fuel Allowance payment and will include messages about the start date for payments, as well as information about who is eligible and for new applicants how to apply. Information can be found at www.gov.ie/fa throughout the year.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
