Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
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112. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person (details supplied) in County Cork will be approved for a free fuel allowance. [50554/22]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The aim of the fuel allowance scheme is to help qualified households with the cost of heating their home during the winter months.

One of the conditions for receipt of fuel allowance is that a person must satisfy a means test. The fuel allowance means test is linked to the maximum rate of State pension (contributory). An individual can have a weekly income of €120.00 above the maximum rate for State pension (contributory) plus any increases for age, living alone and dependants and still be eligible for the fuel allowance.

On 13 September 2022, the person concerned requested a review of their fuel allowance entitlement. Following a means assessment, it was determined that the household means were €782.75 which exceeds the permissible weekly means of €373.30 for the household. The application was disallowed, and the person concerned was notified in writing on 03 October 2022.

As the Deputy is aware, I announced an increase in the fuel means threshold for those aged under 70 from €120.00 to €200.00 from January 2023. As the household means of €782.75 exceeds the new permissible means of €453.30 for the household, the person concerned will not qualify for fuel allowance from January 2023.

Under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance scheme, Exceptional Needs Payments may be made to help meet an essential, once-off cost which customers are unable to meet out of their own resources, and this may include exceptional heating costs. Decisions on such payments are made on a case-by-case basis.

I hope this clarifies the position for the Deputy.