Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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586. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a fuel allowance and a living alone allowance increase will be awarded to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43898/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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An increase for living alone can be claimed by a person in receipt of pension if they are living alone, or mainly alone. In this case, the person concerned is the qualified adult on their spouse’s state pension (contributory) and is therefore not eligible for this increase. A letter informing the person of this decision was issued on 21 September 2017.

Similarly, Fuel Allowance can be claimed by a pension recipient, but not their qualified adult.

A letter has issued to the person concerned advising them to apply for a pension in their own right because if they qualify, they may also have an entitlement to additional increases in respect of living alone and fuel allowance.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.