Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

868. 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. [32734/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to assist householders on long-term social welfare payments towards the cost of their heating needs.

The main eligibility conditions that apply to the fuel allowance scheme are that a person must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, must satisfy a means test and must either be living alone or with other qualifying persons. The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of the State pension (contributory). The applicant can have a weekly household income of €100.00 above the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) and still be eligible for fuel allowance.

The person concerned applied for this allowance on 7 October 2020. Since it is a means-tested payment, additional information regarding their means was requested on 17 October 2020. Once this information is received, their eligibility for fuel allowance can be determined and they will be notified of a decision as soon as possible.

Without the requested information the fuel allowance application cannot be processed. According to the records of my Department, the person concerned previously applied for fuel allowance on 4 December 2019. Their application was disallowed on 5 March 2020 as they did not reply to the request for further information which was required to decide their claim.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

869. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the position regarding a fuel allowance application by a person (details supplied). [32757/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Department holds no record of an application for Fuel Allowance for the customer.It is advisable in this instance for the person concerned to consult the qualifying conditions for the payment which can be found under Fuel Allowance on www.gov.ie .

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.