Older people in Donegal are being urged to avail of the Fuel Allowance this autumn, as the new fuel allowance season gets underway in advance of the winter months.
Older people and those in receipt of social welfare can apply for the allowance by filling in a form at their local Post Office, or applying online by clicking here.
Those on an employment scheme or in receipt of a Back to Education Allowance are also entitled to the Fuel Allowance if they satisfy the criteria needed to avail of the allowance.
Fine Gael Minister of State Joe McHugh TD says; “The Fuel Allowance scheme is designed to assist pensioners and other very low income households to meet the cost of their heating needs during the winter season.”
Minister Joe McHugh
“I encourage older people and people in receipt of social welfare here in Donegal to apply for the allowance.”
“The Fuel Allowance is means tested and is paid to the customer with their social welfare payment at a rate of €22.50 per week.”
“All those who qualify for the Fuel Allowance should apply for it now. Fairness will be the focus of the upcoming Budget and we will continue to reducing high levels of taxation on modest incomes and phase out the USC.”
“Our top priority is to protect the economy and create more jobs, which in turn will fund better public services for hard pressed families.”
In order to qualify, the claimant:
- Must be resident in the State
- Must be in receipt of certain qualifying payments
- Must live alone or only with:
>a qualified spouse/ civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren);
>a person in receipt of a qualifying payment who would be entitled to the allowance in their own right;
>a person who is in receipt of Carer’s Allowance or Carer’s Benefit in respect of providing full time care and attention to the Fuel Allowance applicant or their qualified spouse / civil partner / cohabitant or qualified child(ren);
>a person receiving short term Jobseeker’s Allowance or the Basic Supplementary Welfare Allowance (less than 391 days).