Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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232. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Kildare is receiving a reduced fuel allowance and has had their fuel allowance stopped; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44092/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Free fuel (FF) allowance is a means tested payment, payable to people who either live alone or only with certain other qualified people. The person concerned was awarded the full rate of FF with effect from 2 October 2019 and he continues to qualify for this allowance. On 29 October 2019 a letter issued informing him of this.

The first payment along with arrears due were made by his chosen payment method on 30 October 2019. FF allowance is paid during the winter months only. The first payment for this FF season issued to the person concerned on 30 September 2020.

The person concerned is in receipt of a weekly FF payment. If he wishes to transfer to the lump sum FF payment which is paid in two lump sums annually, he can apply to do so.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.

Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
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233. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) in County Kildare has been refused the fuel allowance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [44093/20]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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On 28 April 2020, an application form for fuel allowance was issued to the person concerned. The person concerned was in receipt of the State Pension contributory and the fuel allowance payment is means-tested for such customers.

Following receipt of the completed application on 24 November 2020, the Deciding Officer requested additional information from the person concerned on 26 November 2020, in order that their weekly means could be assessed.

Separately, an application form for State Pension non-contributory was received from the person concerned on 1 October 2020. The person concerned has now been awarded State Pension non-contributory at a higher weekly rate of payment than their contributory pension, together with fuel allowance, with effect from 2 October 2020.

A written notification of this decision issued on 11 December 2020 to the person concerned and due arrears of payment will issue shortly.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.