FUEL ALLOWANCE WILL be paid out to 410,000 households across the country from this week. 

The means-assessed payment scheme has been expanded this year to allow more households to qualify, the Department of Social Protection said. The allowance will be paid for 28 weeks, up until April 2026, to the qualifying households.

The rate is €33 per week or by way of two instalment payments of €462 each.

Changes in who qualifies for the scheme means that a person over the age of 66 no longer has to be in receipt of a social protection payment to apply for fuel allowance. 

A single person aged 66 or over can have a means of €524 per week (€2,096 per month) while a couple can have a means of €1,048 per week (€4,192 per month) and qualify for the fuel allowance.

The amount of capital that is disregarded was increased from €20,000 to €50,000 if you are over the age of 66 – capital referring to property that is not your own home, shares, investments, or savings.

From January this year, carer’s allowance became a qualifying payment for fuel allowance, as long as the applicant meets the relevant criteria, including the means test.

Social Protection Minister Dara Caller said he was delighted to announce the payments will begin this week and said the allowance plays a “vital role” in supporting so many families with their heating costs over the winter months. 

“We have expanded the eligibility conditions this year to allow more households to qualify and I encourage people to check their eligibility for this important payment,” he said.

You can qualify for fuel allowance if you are aged 66 or over, or getting certain long-term social welfare payments. Only one fuel allowance is payable per household.

You do not need to reapply for fuel allowance each year if your circumstances have not changed and you continue to get the same social welfare payment. You can apply for the allowance online via here, and more information on the payment is available here.