400,000 households set to begin receiving fuel allowance

Those under 70 are able to access the fuel allowance if they receive a qualifying social welfare payment. File Picture: Denis Minihane

There are over 400,000 households across the country who are due to begin receiving the fuel allowance from Monday.

The payment itself is given out on a weekly basis at a rate of €33, or in two separate lump sum payments of €462 each.

Anyone over the age of 70, with an income of less than €512 a week — or €1,024 as a couple — is entitled to the fuel allowance.

Those under 70 are able to access the fuel allowance if they receive a qualifying social welfare payment.

The payment itself runs for 28 weeks, between late September and April.

Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys is also examining the further expansion of the fuel allowance as part of October’s budget, signalling that she intends to lower the qualifying age from 70 to 66.

Ms Humphreys said that she did not want to see “old people in their home afraid to turn on the heating”.

A number of social welfare options are on the table for the upcoming budget, including two sets of double payments for individuals on long-term social welfare rates.

It is expected that the traditional Christmas bonus will be paid out in December, but the Government may also provide a double payment in October.