Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent)
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644. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason that a person (details supplied) has not been facilitated; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14940/22]

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 threshold for the fuel allowance means test is €120.00 above the maximum weekly rate of state pension (contributory).

The Department received an application for fuel allowance on 19 September 2017. This application was disallowed on 7th March 2018 as the requested information on household means was not provided. The person concerned submitted another application form on 26 November 2020. Their entitlement was examined and they were notified in writing that their weekly household means exceeded the limit for fuel allowance.

If the person’s circumstances have changed, it is open to them to reapply for fuel allowance.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.