Starting January 2025, thousands more people will qualify for the Fuel Allowance payment, thanks to changes introduced in Budget 2025.
The €924 annual payment, designed to help with heating costs, will now be available to those receiving Carer’s Allowance, broadening its reach to support more households during the colder months.
Additionally, for those aged 66 and over, the means test disregard for Fuel Allowance has been raised to €524 for single applicants and €1,048 for couples.
What is Fuel Allowance?
Fuel Allowance is a government payment aimed at helping households to manage the cost of heating during the winter season. Only one recipient per household can receive the payment.
For the 2024/2025 season, Fuel Allowance payments began on Monday, September 23rd, 2024, and will continue for 28 weeks, ending on April 4th, 2025.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for Fuel Allowance, you must:
- Live alone or with specific eligible people
- Receive a qualifying social welfare payment (this requirement does not apply if you are 70 or older)
- Meet the conditions of a means test
For detailed eligibility criteria, additional resources are available online.
How much is it?
The weekly Fuel Allowance payment is €33, adding up to €924 over the full 28-week season.
Recipients can choose to receive the payment weekly or in two lump sums. For the 2024/2025 season, these lump sum payments are scheduled for September 2024 and January 2025.
If you qualify for both the Fuel Allowance and the Living Alone Increase, you will automatically receive an additional €2.50 per week through the Telephone Support Allowance.
How to apply
Applications for the Fuel Allowance can be submitted online using a MyGovID account.
- Under 70 years old: Complete the NFS1 application form.
- 70 years or older: Use the NFS2 application form.
The expansion of the Fuel Allowance to include Carer’s Allowance recipients and the updated means test thresholds show a significant step toward supporting more vulnerable households during winter.
With the 2024/2025 season already underway, those eligible can take advantage of these changes starting January 2025.
For further details and to begin your application, click here.
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