Winter fuel scheme starts

Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar has announced the start of the Winter Fuel Scheme from today. 

This non-statutory scheme helps householders on long-term social welfare payments to cover additional heating expenses in the winter.

Anyone who qualified for the payment last year will automatically be included again this year, if they still fulfil the eligibility requirements. However customers who have not previously received the payment can apply by contacting their local Social Welfare office or from the office which handles their scheme payment.

The fuel allowance will be paid at a rate of €22.50 per week.The rate was increased by €2.50 this year.  

'This is an important support for almost half a million low-income households across Ireland for whom the cost of heating oil, electricity or solid fuel can be a real worry,” Minister Varadkar said.

Someone receiving a Natural Gas or Electricity Allowance under the Department of Social Protection’s Household Benefits Package, and who uses gas or electricity for their heating, may also be entitled to the Fuel Allowance.

The Fuel Allowance of €22.50 per week represents a contribution towards a household’s normal heating expenses.  One allowance is paid per household and it is not intended to meet the entire cost, but to provide assistance. 

Some 400,000 households benefited from the payment last winter, of whom 170,000 were pensioners, 93,000 people were long-term unemployed, and 39,000 were one parent families. 

Another 76,000 people in receipt of an Illness payment such as Disability Allowance or Invalidity Pension received the payment.  The cost of the scheme in the 2015/1016 season was €224 million.