Chris Andrews (Dublin Bay South, Sinn Fein)
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495. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason a person (details supplied) was not eligible to receive the fuel allowance; the amount by which they exceeded the threshold; and if they are now eligible for the fuel allowance if they were to reapply. [3643/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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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 State pension (contributory). The applicant can have weekly means of €100.00 above the maximum rate of State pension (contributory) and still be eligible for a fuel allowance.

The person concerned applied for this allowance on 20 January 2020. Since it is a means-tested payment, information regarding their household means was requested on 15 February 2020 and again on 19 June 2020. As the requested information was not provided, the application could not be processed and was therefore disallowed. The person concerned was notified in writing of this decision on 20 August 2020.

It is open to the person concerned to reapply for the fuel allowance and provide the information required for the means assessment. The person’s eligibility for fuel allowance can then be determined and they will be notified of the outcome.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.