Written answers

Thursday, 24 November 2016

Department of Social Protection

Fuel Allowance Payments

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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126. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if and when fuel allowance will be paid in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36594/16]

Photo of Finian McGrathFinian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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Fuel Allowance is a payment under the National Fuel Scheme to help with the cost of heating a home during the winter months. It is paid to people who are dependent on long-term social welfare payments and who are unable to provide for their own heating needs. Only one Fuel Allowance is paid to a household.

Illness Benefit is a payment for people who cannot work due to illness and who satisfy the Pay Related Social Insurance (PRSI) contribution conditions. The person concerned is in receipt of this benefit since 18 August 2016. Illness benefit is classified as a short term scheme and, as such, is not a qualifying payment for fuel allowance.

Further information on long-term illness benefits, e.g. invalidity pension is available on my department’s website, www.welfare.ie.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

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