Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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473. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection when the fuel allowance will be made payable to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7975/21]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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Fuel allowance is a means-tested payment to provide assistance to 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 and their spouse can have a combined weekly household income of €100 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 this allowance on 27 October 2020. Since it is a means-tested payment, information regarding their household means was requested on 6 November 2020, on 23 November 2020 and 10 Dec 2020. Following receipt of the requested information, fuel allowance was awarded with effect from 30 October 2020, the Friday following date of receipt of the application. Written notification of this decision issued to the person concerned on 9 February 2021 together with details of arrears due.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.