Robert Dowds (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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To ask the Minister for Social Protection the circumstances in which a person in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance, who has no other household income, is eligible for fuel allowance. [41895/12]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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There are approximately 1,000 customers in receipt of supplementary welfare allowance (SWA) and fuel allowance.

Customers in receipt of SWA for 15 months or over are eligible for the fuel allowance. The means test for the fuel allowance is automatically satisfied in these cases. To qualify for the allowance, an applicant or any member of their household must be unable to provide for their heating needs from their own resources. In addition, the applicant must reside alone or with a specified person(s) which includes a dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant and/or dependent children. Only one fuel allowance is payable per household.