A social welfare payment totalling over €920 has now began to be paid to certain groups with those eligible urged to apply.
Budget 2025 outlined that the €924 payment towards heating costs would being extended to those who claim Carer's Allowance.
The Fuel Allowance is now also be available without a means test for people aged 66 and over. This payment is €524 for a single person and €1,048 for a couple.
These changes kick in from January 2025, and here's everything you need to know about the payment and how to apply.
Fuel Allowance is a payment to help cover the cost of heating your home during the winter months. It is paid to only one person in a household outside the couple's arrangement for those 66 years old and over.
The Fuel Allowance season normally begins in late September of each year and ends in April. The 2024/2025 Fuel Allowance season started on Monday, 23 September 2024. It will be paid for 28 weeks (until 4 April 2025).
To claim Fuel Allowance you must:
Live alone (or only with certain people) Be getting a qualifying payment (unless you are 70 or over) Satisfy a means testFor more details on these conditions, click here.
The current weekly rate of Fuel Allowance is €33. You can get your Fuel Allowance paid weekly or in two lump sum instalments.
Fuel Allowance is included in your weekly payment, if you are getting a social welfare payment. If you are not getting a social welfare payment, your Fuel Allowance can be paid directly into your account in a financial institution or you can collect it from your local post office.
In 2024/2025, the total Fuel Allowance payment over 28 weeks is €924.
It can be paid to you in two instalments (lump sums) - September 2024 and January 2025.
If you are getting Fuel Allowance as well as the Living Alone Increase, you will also get a Telephone Support Allowance of €2.50 per week. This is paid automatically with your main social welfare payment, so you do not have to apply for it.
You can apply for Fuel Allowance online. You must have a MyGovID account to apply online.
If you are aged under 70, fill in the NFS1 form to apply for fuel allowance (pdf).
If you are aged 70 or over, fill in the NFS2 form to apply for fuel allowance (pdf).
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