Press release
Fuel Allowance Customers Can Still Avail of a Lump Sum Payment for 2018
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
From Department of Social Protection
Published on
Last updated on
Fuel allowance customers wishing to change from weekly to lump sum payment can apply by December 1st to receive a fuel lump sum payment in early January 2018. This lump-sum payment amounts to €315 and includes an additional week of payment as announced in Budget 2018. This brings the fuel season payment to 27 weeks for all eligible customers, whether paid weekly or by the lump-sum option.
Earlier this year, Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Regina Doherty T.D., announced that Fuel Allowance customers could now opt to receive their Fuel Allowance in two lump-sum payments instead of weekly. Customers who applied for this option in September have already received their first lump sum payment, and are set to receive their second payment in early January. Approximately 51,000 customers have already availed of this new option from a total of 376,000 fuel-allowance customers.
Commenting on the fuel lump sum options Minister Doherty said
"By providing for bulk-buying and by extending the Weekly Fuel Allowance to 27 weeks, we are providing more heat for people’s homes this winter. For some, these measures will mean cheaper fuel, for others they will provide more fuel for longer. Either way, no matter the weather, they will have a warmer winter season."
Minister of State Finian McGrath said
"The availability of the lump sum payment is of particular benefit for those on the Disability Allowance, the Invalidity Pension and the Blind Pension. I am aware of research showing a definite link between having a disability and higher living costs, and I am pleased that this measure will help to bring down the home heating costs for some people with a disability."
Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs in full. The Fuel Allowance season runs between October and April. The weekly payment is €22.50. The first lump sum payment was €292.50 and the second lump sum payment will be €315 (due to the extra week).
Eligible customers who missed the first application date (15th September) or who would now like to receive the second lump sum in January need to apply by 1st December. More information and application forms are available from local Intreo Centres, Social Protection Offices or online here.
Customers who are already in receipt of the fuel allowance lump sum payment since September do not need to reapply and will receive the second lump sum in January. Customers who have already applied, or would like to continue receiving a weekly payment, don’t have to do anything as their payment will issue as normal.
The Department is running an awareness campaign consisting of radio and print ads to inform people that they can still apply to receive the second lump sum payment if they so wish.
Note for Editors
A study carried out by the Department of Social Protection last year showed that the difference in price for a customer buying between 20 and 25 litres of kerosene was on average, 11% per litre more expensive than for a customer who bought greater quantities e.g. 400 litres while people who were in a position to buy multiple bags of coal could in some instances get them for as much €3 per bag cheaper. Expenditure on the Fuel Allowance for 2017/2018 is estimated at €232 million, benefiting approx. 376,000 households.
A person may qualify for a Fuel Allowance if they are receiving one of the following payments directly from the Department of Social Protection:
As the Rural Social Scheme, Tus, Gateway and CE customers are not paid directly by the Department of Social Protection, the Fuel Allowance trial option will not apply to them but they will be considered further if the option is continued in the future.
ENDS