Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 May 2026
762. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Social Protection to clarify the rules around eligibility for fuel allowance while on long-term SWA; if an individual is eligible for fuel allowance if they are waiting for a decision on another payment whose application has been ongoing for two years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39948/26]
View answerA person receiving Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting a decision on a claim for another social welfare payment cannot be awarded the Fuel Allowance Payment. Furthermore, Fuel Allowance is not payable if an applicant is living with a person who is in receipt of Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance pending award of a social welfare payment.
The reasoning for this is that the person receiving Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting a decision on a claim has not established their entitlement to the primary social welfare payment and also to ensure that moving from Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance to a primary social welfare payment doesn't result in a reduction in supports.
Fuel Allowance will be awarded, if appropriate, with the primary social welfare payment from the date of receipt of application.
Finally, while Fuel Allowance is not payable to a person receiving Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance while awaiting a decision on a claim, my Department does provide Additional Needs Payments as part of the overall Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme to help meet essential expenses that a person cannot pay from their weekly income or other personal and household resources. Any person who considers that they may have an entitlement to an Additional Needs Payment is encouraged to contact their local community welfare service. There is a National Community Welfare Contact Centre in place - 0818-607080 - which will direct callers to the appropriate office. In addition, applications can be made online via www.mywelfare.ie.
