Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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843. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied) in County Kildare; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13213/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment which aims to help householders on long-term social welfare payments with their heating costs during the winter season.  It is not intended to meet those costs in full.  Only one allowance is paid per household.

The applicant must satisfy a number of eligibility conditions, which include being in receipt of a qualifying payment, satisfying a means test and living alone or only with other qualifying person(s).  The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of the state pension (contributory).  The applicant and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rates for state pension (contributory) and Increase for qualified adult and still be eligible for a fuel allowance. 

The person concerned applied for fuel allowance with their State pension (contributory).  The claim was disallowed on means grounds.  On review, it has been decided that the customer was entitled to fuel allowance.

The customer will receive their fuel allowance to their designated bank account in mid-July, fully backdated to their 66 birthday (25/3/2019).

I hope this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.