John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail)
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1033. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the fuel allowance was not approved in the case of a person (details supplied); and if the application will be reviewed and approved. [44308/19]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance is a means tested payment. All income, including private/occupational pensions and capital such as savings and investments are taken into account.

A single person, under age 80, can have €348.30 per week income (the equivalent of the maximum State Pension Contributory plus €100) and still qualify for fuel allowance. The person concerned applied for fuel allowance in September 2018. However I am advised that her application was disallowed as her means were in excess of this limit.

If the means of the person concerned have reduced, it is open to them to re-apply for fuel allowance and their entitlement will be re-examined. An application form has been issued to the person concerned.

Additionally, under the supplementary welfare allowance scheme, exceptional needs payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources and this may include exceptional heating costs. The person concerned may wish to contact the community welfare officer in their local Intreo Centre to have any possible entitlement examined.

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.