Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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399. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the eligibility for household benefits in the case of a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32503/23]

Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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The Household Benefits Package comprises of an electricity or gas allowance, and a free television licence. Only one Household Benefits Package is payable per household. The payment is made on a monthly basis.

The package is generally available to people living in the State aged 66 years or over, who are in receipt of a social welfare payment, or who satisfy a means test. The package is also available to some people under age 66 who are in receipt of certain social welfare payments. For customers aged 70 or over, there is no requirement to be in receipt of a qualifying payment or to satisfy a means test.

As the person concerned is aged between 66 and 70, they must be in receipt of a qualifying payment, or satisfy a means test. In the case of the person concerned, the qualifying payments are: State pension contributory, State pension non-contributory, Widow's, widower's or surviving civil partner's (contributory) pension, Carer’s allowance, Deserted wife’s benefit, One-parent family payment, a Garda widow's ordinary pension (from the Department of Justice), or an equivalent social security payment from a country covered by EU Regulations or one with which Ireland has a Bilateral Social Security Agreement.

To check their eligibility, the person concerned should apply online at MyWelfare.ie for the Household Benefits package if they have or acquire a verified MyGovID account. Alternatively, they can complete and return the paper application form sent to them.

On receipt of their application, the person's entitlement will be examined and they will be notified of the outcome without delay.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.