Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 May 2026
416. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Minister for Social Protection to urgently provide a fuel allowance payment in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40931/26]
View answerFuel Allowance is a means-tested payment to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months.
A person on a Community Employment (CE) scheme can qualify for a Fuel Allowance payment in certain circumstances.
If a person on a CE scheme was in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the scheme, they can continue to receive the Fuel Allowance payment while participating on the scheme once they continue to satisfy the qualifying conditions.
If the CE participant was not in receipt of Fuel Allowance prior to going on the CE scheme, they may still apply for and qualify for Fuel allowance if they were in receipt of a long-term payment prior to going on a CE scheme and all other conditions are satisfied.
Illness Benefit is considered a short-term payment for those who are certified by their GP as needing to take time out from their employment due to illness, and accordingly is not a qualifying payment for Fuel Allowance. As the person concerned was on Illness Benefit immediately prior to participating on the CE scheme, they do not qualify for Fuel Allowance.
If a person is experiencing financial difficulties with essential expenses that cannot be met from their weekly income, it is open to them to make an application for an Additional Needs Payment (ANP) by completing a SWA1 form. This form is available in all Intreo Centres and can also be requested by calling the National CWS freephone line at 0818 60 70 80 or at www.eforms.gov.ie/en/forms/5. Alternatively, if the person has a verified MyGovID account they can apply for an ANP at www.MyWelfare.ie.
I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.
