Household Benefits
The Household Benefits Package is made up of three allowances, Electricity or Gas Allowance, Telephone Allowance and Free Television Licence. These allowances provide contributions towards your electricity or natural gas or bottled gas refill bill and telephone bill and cover the cost of your Television Licence each year. The allowances are applied directly to your bills, where applicable.
The package is available to people aged over 70 who are resident in the State and to people under age 70 who are also resident in the State in certain circumstances. Only one person in a household can qualify for the package at any time.
The Electricity Allowance covers normal standing charges and up to 2,400 units of electricity each year. It is paid as a credit on your electricity bill. You may only get the allowance if the electricity account is registered in your name.
The Natural Gas Allowance is an alternative to the Electricity Allowance if your home is connected to a natural gas supply. It covers normal standing or supply charges and a certain amount of natural gas kilowatt hours each year. You may only get this allowance if the gas account is in your name.
If your home is not connected to an electricity or natural gas supply but you otherwise satisfy the conditions of the scheme, you may get the Bottled Gas Refill Allowance. This is made up of a monthly payment paid to your nominated financial account or post office.
If you live in self-contained accommodation (a flat or an apartment) and you have a slot meter or the registered consumer of electricity at your address is a landlord, you may qualify for a Group Account Allowance. This is made up of a monthly payment paid to your nominated financial account or post office
The Telephone Allowance provides a payment towards your telephone bill. The allowance may be paid in respect of either a landline (credit will be applied to your bill which must be in your own or joint names) or a mobile phone (your allowance will be paid monthly to your nominated financial institution or post office).
Once you qualify for the Household Benefits Package you may get a Free Television Licence from the next renewal date of your television licence. The licence remains valid for as long as you continue to receive the Household Benefits Package.