Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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162. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will ensure that in all correspondence issued by her Department referencing a person’s possible entitlement to fuel allowance, it will be explicitly stated that a person must submit an application form for the fuel allowance and that there is no automatic entitlement; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [11858/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Fuel Allowance scheme is a means-tested payment to assist qualified householders on long-term social welfare payments and people aged 70 and over towards their winter heating costs. Only one Fuel Allowance is payable per household. Those who qualify for the payment do not need to reapply annually.

Extensive information on Fuel Allowance is provided by my Department through the local Intreo Centre and Branch Office networks, on the Government's website www.gov.ie and through various organisations such as Citizens Information Centres.

Where a person applies for primary scheme payments, such as State Pension or Invalidity Pension, they indicate their intention to apply for Fuel Allowance as part of their application.

For those who wish to submit a standalone Fuel Allowance application, they can do so at a time and place that suits them through a new online MyWelfare application service, or by downloading an application form from www.gov.ie.

Application forms are also available from local offices of my Department, post offices and Citizen Information Centres.

An extensive information campaign commenced in December 2022 to raise awareness about the payment, in particular to highlight the major expansion to the scheme, I secured as part of Budget 23, which has benefited in particular people who are aged over 70 years. This campaign which was undertaken on radio, print media and across all social media platforms helped to heighten awareness about the scheme as well as providing information on how to easily apply for the payment.

Given the clarity of existing information provided, customers should be aware of the need to apply for Fuel Allowance. In light of the vast array of correspondence that issues daily across my Department's network, it is not possible to assure an explicit reference to the need to submit an application. However, if the Deputy has a specific instance where confusion arose for a customer, my Department will be happy to examine the circumstances and provide further clarity if required.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.